Mark Lawrenson has offered his prediction for Southampton v Everton.
Mark Lawrenson
Pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks Southampton and Everton will play out a 1-1 draw this afternoon.
Hosts Southampton had gone on a five-game unbeaten run, but have now picked up just one point from their last three Premier League games, scoring just once in that run of fixtures.
Claude Puel’s men need a strong result to turn their fortunes around, especially having lost 1-0 to Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
The Saints should be well up for today’s game, as they face a visit from former manager Ronald Koeman, as the Dutchman makes his first return to St. Mary’s Stadium with his Everton side.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
Koeman left Southampton after two years in the job over the summer, making a somewhat controversial move to Everton, as many questioned just why he would trade the South Coast for Goodison Park given that he had guided the Saints to higher league finishes than Everton during his time in charge of the club.
Koeman heads back to Southampton for the first time this evening, and does so with Everton hardly in great form themselves. After drawing 1-1 with Swansea City last weekend, the Toffees have won just one of their last seven Premier League games.
There have been some murmurings of discontent on Merseyside this week, and Everton fans will be looking for three points today, whilst Koeman will be desperate to get a win over his former club.
Ahead of today’s game, pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks Koeman has plenty of work to do at Everton to turn the club around, and thinks the two sides will play out a 1-1 draw this afternoon.
General view inside St Mary’s Stadium
“Everton’s performance in last week’s draw against Swansea only underlined how much work they need to do,” said Lawrenson. “Yes, the Toffees made a bright start to the season but I don’t think for one minute that will have kidded their manager Ronald Koeman about their prospects. They lacked urgency, and played too many square balls. Everyone seemed to need an extra touch, which makes it easier for the opposition to defend against.”
“That needs to change on Sunday, because we know how good Koeman’s old team are at the back. Southampton’s results have dropped off recently too, but their run of one win in six league games includes draws with Manchester City and Liverpool, so they are hardly struggling,” he added.
What’s your prediction for Southampton v Everton?
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