Mark Lawrenson predicts Everton vs Leeds result
Mark Lawrenson is expecting the fans to play a crucial part in the result of Everton vs Leeds on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League.
The two sides go head-to-head in a relegation six-pointer after disappointing results in midweek, with Leeds blowing a lead and then coming from behind to draw 3-3 with Aston Villa, while Everton were beaten 3-1 by Newcastle.
With the Whites travelling to Goodison Park knowing that a win will see them open up a seven-point gap between the teams, but Lawrenson thinks home advantage will be key and is backing the Toffees to claim a close 1-0 win in his BBC Sport predictions.
“Leeds seemed to have got some of their feistiness back in their draw with Aston Villa on Wednesday, which is important for them – it has been missing for most of the season.
“Everton have got injury problems in the centre of their defence, but they have been struggling at the back for a while now anyway, even when everyone was fit.
“I am still going for Frank Lampard’s side to win this one, but it won’t be easy and the crowd will definitely play a big part in making that happen.
“That is a big thing that Everton have as a positive now. The discord you saw in the stands when Rafael Benitez was in the dugout has gone, and of course it makes a massive difference when everyone is together and behind the team.”
Six-pointer
This is a huge game for Leeds’ season under Marcelo Bielsa, as they could create some distance between themselves and the rest of the strugglers at the bottom of the table.
Their recent performances have been good, with Dan James, Raphinha, Jack Harrison and Rodrigo blending well in attack. But the team are struggling defensively and still conceding sloppy goals.
We all know how the team will play on the day, but it’s whether or not that is enough to go to a ground like Goodison, where the fans will be flying for Lampard’s first home game in the league, to go and get the points they need.
A draw wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for Leeds, but it would allow the teams below them to potentially close the gap further.
A win is absolutely needed if they really want to start being able to think beyond this season in the Premier League, so fans will be hoping that Lawrenson’s pick is wrong.
In other Leeds news, ‘My head is…’ – Raphinha quizzed on signing new Leeds contract as January passes