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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Stephen Killen

Paul Merson and Mark Lawrenson make worrying Everton predictions for West Ham United clash

Everton face another massive test in their bid for Premier League survival today as they travel to face fellow strugglers West Ham United.

The trip to the London Stadium comes at the end of what has been another tumultuous week for the Blues as importance mounts game-by-game. They currently find themselves in the relegation places after James Ward-Prowse's second-half double saw Frank Lampard's side slip to 19th in the table following their 2-1 home loss to Southampton last weekend.

But pressure is also building on West Ham, too, who are just one place above Everton in the table. And reports have suggested that a home defeat this afternoon could spell the end of David Moyes' second spell in charge of the Hammers.

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A win for the Blues over former manager Moyes would lift them out of the relegation places. But what do the pundits think?

Mark Lawrenson - Paddy Power

"Both of these are struggling, West Ham haven’t won in the league for a while," former Liverpool defender Lawrenson told Paddy Power. "This might just come down to West Ham having home advantage. The whole situation at Everton is a mess with the directors being told to stay away and all the protests. The problems go back years and they’ve just messed the whole club up."

Prediction: West Ham 2-1 Everton.

Paul Merson - SportsKeeda

Speaking to SportsKeeda, the Arsenal legend said: "This is a huge game. This is a game between the third-bottom and second-bottom teams in the Premier League table. Everton have played the bottom team in the Premier League and have lost twice - they can't afford to do that.

"They did quite well against Man City, and they'll have to do it again. This is a tough game for West Ham, and it's a game that neither manager can afford to lose. West Ham are playing at home, and I think they have the upper hand in this game."

Prediction: West Ham 2-0 Everton.

Chris Sutton - BBC Sport

"Is it possible for me to make a prediction where both teams lose?" Premier League title winner Sutton wrote in his BBC predictions. "Both managers are under a lot of pressure, and neither side seems able to score many goals. West Ham boss David Moyes didn't get the result he needed when his side lost to Wolves last weekend, but their performance was even worse.

"While there has been lots of criticism of Everton's owner and the club's board, Frank Lampard's record of only one win and 10 defeats in their past 13 games does not stand up to much scrutiny either.

"Are either of these teams really capable of taking the game to the other one? I am not sure, and I cannot bring myself to back either of them.

"It's difficult to say they are both suited to doing anything, to be honest, but they are both marginally better on the counter-attack, and will be hoping they can nick something from what will probably be a very nervy - and possibly quite boring - game."

Prediction: West Ham 0-0 Everton.

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