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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Keifer MacDonald

Paul Merson predicts struggle for Everton at Nottingham Forest as 'atrocious' issue outlined

Former Arsenal and England midfielder Paul Merson believes Everton will fall to defeat at Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.

The Blues travel to the City Ground in search of a third Premier League victory of the Sean Dyche era following wins over Arsenal and Leeds United last month. However, back-to-back defeats to Aston Villa and the Gunners last time out have seen Everton slip into the relegation zone ahead of their next league outing.

Writing in his SportsKeeda weekly predictions column, Merson admitted he thinks Steve Cooper's side have too much quality in their ranks for Everton, who could be without striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin once again, to contest with.

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"Everton's threat has generally been limited to set-pieces of late," wrote Merson. "They have become a bit harder to beat under Sean Dyche but that's not saying much. They got booed off the pitch after their 2-0 loss against Aston Villa last weekend.

"I see Nottingham Forest being too much for them to handle at City Ground this weekend. Everton's last away game was against Liverpool and they were shockingly poor in that game.

"I’m backing Nottingham Forest to win this one 2-0. Forest are very good at home. Their away record is atrocious. I expect them to win. Nottingham will get a seven-point lead over Everton if they do that."

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