Everton need have no fear for the final eight games of the season. That's because, Opta, the acclaimed sports statistics company, have proclaimed the Toffees safe from relegation this season,
If only it were that easy. In reality, Opta's recent analysis has the club finishing just above the drop zone, in 17th place. The new prediction is made considering recent performances and the difficulty of the Toffees remaining games compared to the other teams around them.
In Everton's place, the London-based company have condemned bottom-of-the-table Southampton, Nottingham Forest, and the not-too-distant champions Leicester City to life in England's second tier next term.
