Sky Sports journalist predicts Everton Premier League relegation and names two Sean Dyche ‘favorites’

According to Sky Sports journalist Peter Smith, Everton will be watching the relegation battle rather than participating in it this season.

This decision is despite the club’s appeal against a 10-point deduction for violating the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations.

After defeating Chelsea 2-0 on Sunday (10 December), the Merseyside club is now 17th in the rankings.

“Poor finishing, especially at Goodison, had masked some of the progress the manager and his players have made this season but with Dwight McNeil and Abdoulaye Doucoure – two Sean Dyche favourites – finding form, they are getting their rewards now,” Smith wrote in a column for Sky Sports on December 11th.

“Over the last two seasons, Everton have pulled off late-season comebacks. They appear to be looking down on the relegation battle this time, regardless of whether their appeal against the points deduction is successful.”

Safe?

Everton were in 14th place in the table after victories over West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Brighton before being docked points.

The punishment, however, left the Toffees sliding down to 19th position, and their agony was increased when Manchester United crushed them 3-0 at Goodison Park in their first match since the deduction.

Everton, on the other hand, have been on a tear, defeating Nottingham Forest 1-0 on the road and Newcastle United and Chelsea 3-0 and 2-0 at Goodison Park, respectively.

Of course, there is still a long way to go this season, but if Dyche’s players can keep this up, they will be well clear of any danger.

And, given the manager’s ability and the personnel at his disposal, that should be the case for the Merseyside club.

In other Everton news, Dyche has elevated one Toffees star to a top-four Premier League statistic.