What Everton need to avoid relegation
Since it was established that Everton are most certainly not too big to succumb to the second tier, 28 May has been pencilled in as judgement day on the blue side of the Mersey.
Mismanagement at the top, combined with incompetence on the pitch, has seen Everton thrust into their second relegation dogfight in consecutive seasons. The arrival of Sean Dyche ignited a minor improvement, but a tough closing schedule meant their fate was always going to be decided at the last.
A rousing 5-1 victory over Brighton on the south coast at the start of May offered fresh hope in their survival bid, and Yerry Mina's late equaliser at Wolves on Saturday has left Dyche's side in a relatively strong position (in the context of survival) heading into the final day.
Here's what Everton need this Sunday when they face Bournemouth to retain their Premier League status.
What Everton need to avoid relegation
Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
17. | Everton | 37 | 7 | 12 | 18 | -24 | 33 |
18. | Leicester | 37 | 8 | 7 | 22 | -18 | 31 |
19. | Leeds | 37 | 7 | 10 | 20 | -27 | 31 |
20. | Southampton | 37 | 6 | 6 | 25 | -37 | 24 |
Beat Bournemouth
Everton currently sit two points above the drop zone in 17th. As a result, victory at Goodison Park against Bournemouth on Sunday will guarantee their survival.
The Cherries have lost their last three after securing their status in the top flight for another season against the odds, and there are certainly some signs of Gary O'Neil's side downing their tools down the stretch.
The Goodison Park faithful will do everything in their power to propel their side over the finish line.
Draw & hope both Leicester and Leeds fail to win
If Everton fail to beat Bournemouth this weekend and instead pick up a draw, they're then at the mercy of other results going their way.
Leicester and Leeds are both two points off, but both have winnable home games against West Ham and Tottenham respectively.
Should Everton draw and Leicester win, the Foxes' superior goal difference will send the Toffees down. However, if Leeds win, Leicester fail to win and Everton draw, Leeds will need to win by at least three goals to leapfrog Dyche's men in the table.
Fortunately for Big Sam, a vulnerable Tottenham are coming to town.
Lose & hope both Leicester and Leeds fail to win
A defeat on Sunday wouldn't send Everton down, but they'll be relegated if they're beaten by Bournemouth and either Leeds or Leicester win on Sunday.
If Everton lose and their fellow relegation candidates both draw, the Toffees will survive by a point.
Everton vs Bournemouth H2H record (Last Five Games)
- Everton: 1
- Bournemouth: 4
- Draws: 0
Everton have only met Bournemouth 16 times in their history, and they've won eight of their encounters. Recently, though, the Cherries have thoroughly enjoyed their matchups with the Toffees.
In fact, Bournemouth have won the last four duels and they twice thumped Frank Lampard's Everton earlier this season. After beating them 4-1 in the Carabao Cup, Bournemouth then won the first Premier League meeting of the campaign 3-0 on the south coast.
Everton's last victory against Sunday's opponents came in January 2019, but, on a more positive note, Bournemouth have only ever won once at Goodison Park.