Danny Murphy has told TalkSPORT on Wednesday that Everton could slip up at home to Bournemouth on Sunday with Leeds United needing the Toffees to lose to the Cherries at Goodison Park, to stand any chance of survival.
It looks incredibly unlikely, as things stand, for Leeds to survive. Currently sitting in 19th, we boast the worst odds of survival from the three clubs fighting for 17th. Everton are in 17th, sitting on 33 points after a late draw at Wolves.
In 18th, Leicester sit above Leeds but only on goal difference. The Foxes have a much better goal difference than Leeds and Everton. So, Leicester only need Everton to draw – given their goal difference. They must beat West Ham.
Leeds need Everton to lose – or, if the Toffees draw, then Leeds need to beat Spurs by a margin of three goals. Very unlikely. Murphy does believe, though, Everton are capable of slipping up – but thinks the Toffees are favourites.
“Everton are strong favourites. The only thing that can mess that up is a silly, emotional, erratic tackle that’s a red card, or Bournemouth playing tremendously well. If Everton don’t win, they’ve only got themselves to blame.
“I know people don’t like to hear this because they should be getting it no matter what the game, but because Bournemouth have already succeeded, [Everton trying to stay up] will surpass Bournemouth’s desire,” Murphy said.
Murphy says Everton could slip up with Leeds needing Toffees to lose
Bournemouth will be playing with freedom. But you imagine the first goal in this game will be crucial. If Everton score first, you would imagine that the desire to get back into the game as a Bournemouth player will not be high.
They will not go hunting for an equaliser as if they would, if there were still places to play for. But if Bournemouth score the first goal, the nerves will kick in at Goodison Park and you might imagine, the Cherries score two or three.
So, the first goal at Goodison will be important. Hopefully, for Leeds and indeed Leicester, it will be Gary O’Neil’s side that nab it. So much could happen on Sunday, but realistically, it does look incredibly tough for Leeds United.
