Dan is back with his thoughts ahead of what is a very important game for Saints when they take on Everton on Sunday.

On Sunday afternoon, Saints take on an Everton side that really haven’t had a lot to cheer about so far this season. Still under temporary management, not very many really know what’s going on with the Toffees right now!

After the satisfaction of Saints fans seeing ex-boss Ronald Koeman get sacked by Everton after snaking Southampton for the Blues last summer, Southampton won’t be going up against their old manager but will be facing a team without a guaranteed backroom staff, a potential advantage for the hosts.

However, Everton have picked up some form over the last few weeks with four points from their last two games but five points from their last six league games tells the story so far in a more accurate light.

Sat in 16th place, Everton will be looking to pick up some results sooner rather than later and know that a win at St.Mary’s will see them leapfrog Southampton and rise up the table. This would be awful for Saints as a shambolic run of fixtures over the run up to the new year will see picking up points a rare occasion over the next month.

As for Southampton the task is simple: must win. However, many games this season have been winnable for Saints yet they see themselves with 13 points from 12 games in the concerning position of 14th. With just nine goals, something really needs to click soon for Saints and fast as opportunities to partially climb up the table won’t come as good as this very often over the next handful of fixtures!

The home form really has been alarming and so we all hope that this game can build a bit of momentum as there is a trip down to Bournemouth next weekend after what is likely to be a midweek thrashing from Manchester City at the Etihad. A win here and another result against Bournemouth next Sunday (let’s be honest, we’re not expecting anything against City!) will be a decent tally before games against, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United.

Prediction: I’m going for a 2-0 win. There’s no other way to look at it other than must win. Yes, Everton are in an alarming position but they have more opportunities over the next month to get out of their rut than us so three points will be the only acceptable outcome on Sunday. I don’t care who scores nor how we win as right now results will be the only thing that gets us out of this mess!

Photo: Action Images

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