Game week 10 of the Premier league has West Ham United at home, facing Dyche’s Everton. There’s been a lot of noice around Everton lately, with accusations of them breaching FFP rules (Financial Fair Play). This topic is hugely complicated, so I won’t go into too much detail, but the short version is Everton have recorded huge financial losses. This alongside various offences has caused the Premier League to recommend a 12 point deduction for “breaching profit and sustainability rules”.
If Everton do face this point deduction, I can’t see them avoiding relegation. However that’s besides the point. Lets instead conceder what this could mean for their game against West Ham.
If you cast your mind back to February 2023, Manchester City saw them selves faced with over 100 allocated counts of breaching FFP. Did this cause instability in the club? Quite the opposite as they went on with an “Us against the world” attitude to win a treble that season. Now I’m defiantly not suggesting any trophies could find their way to Everton, buy could these allegations cause a similar, “Us against the world”, response from the Toffees?
A 12 Point deduction sounds like a death sentence to the championship for Everton, but with this, I can see performances improving.
Now back to the football…
Everton have had an expectedly poor start to the season. They currently have 7 points and are sat in 16th place. Four games ago, the Toffees only had 1 point from their first 5 games, so their form has picked up as of late. They beat Bournemouth 3-0, but even more impressively beat Brentford 3-1 away, so a shock win at the Olympic park isn’t out of the realms of possibility.
Who too look out for?
Abdoulaye Doucouré:
The Malian international is Everton’s top goal contributor, with 3 goals and 1 assist. It doesn’t sound like much, and in all honesty it isn’t much. Finding a main goal threat has been a tough task for Dyche as Dominic Calvert Lewin has struggled, only bagging 3 goals so far this season. Regardless, Doucouré has offered great amounts of strength and aggression in the attacking third of the pitch, so expect him to do the same at the Olympic stadium.
Stone cold Center Back:
James Tarkowski has perhaps been the most consistent Everton player this season. The Polish International has played an impressive 915 minutes for the Toffees this season, and not really put a foot wrong (individually that is). He’s started every game so far for the Toffees, and offers level headed defending in a somewhat manic Everton backline. He’s sure to be their best performing defender on Sunday.
The Dyche effect:
Yes the third “player” to look out for is in fact the manager himself. This is partly due to the lack of standout performers and partly due to the Englishman innate ability to grab a result by the scruff of the neck. Everton fans haven’t had too much to smile about this season, but the “Classic British” footballing style the manager brings makes Everton a physically tough side to face, regardless of their poor season. His teams are characterised by crunching tackles, long balls up top and gritty determination. He is sure to get his side battling to the final whistle, regardless of the scoreline.
Scoreline Prediction:
It doesn’t take a genius to predict a West Ham win. Although I can see Everton being desperate to get points after their potential point prediction. However, I can only see one way traffic throughout the 90 minutes. I’m going with a 2-0 West Ham win, where I see us bouncing back after a depressing night in Europe. Come on you Hammers!
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