Southampton take on Everton in the Premier League this afternoon.
Pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks Southampton will beat Everton 2-0 at St. Mary’s Stadium this afternoon.
The Saints head into the game having lost 3-0 at Liverpool last weekend, with questions being asked of manager Mauricio Pellegrino after some poor performances of late.
With one point taken from the last three games, Southampton now sit just three points clear of the relegation zone, and need to find goals from somewhere to kickstart their season.
Having found the net just nine times in 12 Premier League games, only three teams have scored fewer goals than the Saints this season, but they may be looking to take advantage of a leaky Everton back line today.
The Toffees were thumped 5-1 at home by Atalanta on Thursday night, with the heavy Europa League defeat seemingly ending any lingering chance of David Unsworth landing the job on a full-time basis.
Everton still remain without a permanent manager following Ronald Koeman’s exit last month, but Unsworth will be looking for a win today in order to leapfrog the Saints in the Premier League table.
Ahead of the game, pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks Everton striker Oumar Niasse deserved to be suspended for simulation after winning a penalty in last week’s 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace.
Lawrenson added that he admires Unsworth’s approach in terms of attacking teams, but thinks Everton will lose 2-0 on the South Coast this afternoon.
“Yes, there was contact when Everton striker Oumar Niasse went down in the area during their draw against Crystal Palace last week, but I think it was correct to punish him for diving,” said Lawrenson. “These incidents are always going to be contentious but people have had enough of seeing players throw themselves to the ground inside the area and, if you want to stop that from happening, then you have got to start somewhere. I think this could be the tipping point because now people know what they can expect.”
“Niasse will be suspended for this game, but even if he was available I would not see Everton’s poor away form changing – even against a team struggling for goals the way Southampton are. The Toffees have taken only three points from six games on the road this season and, although I admire David Unsworth’s approach of always picking a team that has a real go at sides, I do not see them having any success against Saints,” he added.
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