‘I’m Not a Fan’: Sky Sports Pundit Offers Bold Prediction for Everton vs Ipswich Town

Sean Dyche’s Everton side have recently shown signs of improvement, offering hope to the Goodison Park faithful.

Despite climbing out of the bottom three, the relegation battle remains tight, and a win this weekend could prove crucial.

On Saturday, Everton face Ipswich Town, who sit just one place and one point below them in the table.

A victory could see the Toffees level on points with Manchester United by the end of the day.

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has weighed in on the upcoming clash, sharing his thoughts on the match, which is pivotal for both sides.

Paul Merson’s Ipswich vs. Everton Prediction

Everton fans may have some concerns heading into the game, particularly due to injuries that have affected the squad in recent weeks.

The most frustrating setback is Jarrad Branthwaite’s injury, which occurred just after his return to action.

Additionally, James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are ruled out for the weekend clash, further limiting Everton’s options.

Despite these concerns, Merson is optimistic about Everton’s chances.

Speaking to Sportskeeda, he predicted the Toffees would leave Portman Road with all three points.

“Huge game in the context of the relegation battle. Everton can’t afford to lose this game, but it’s a must-win for Ipswich Town,” Merson said.

“If Ipswich win, they’re on track to avoid relegation with seven points from eight games.

That would give them an average of close to one point per game, which offers a decent chance of survival for newly-promoted teams.”

Merson added, “I don’t like going against Everton here.

They’ve been in these situations before and are well-equipped to handle the pressure.

I expect them to make it difficult for Ipswich, and I’m predicting Sean Dyche’s men to come away with all three points.”

Paul Merson Warns Everton of In-Form Ipswich Striker

Although the match is expected to be tight, Ipswich have proven resilient in recent home games, holding both Fulham and Aston Villa to draws.

At the heart of their solid performance against Villa was young striker Liam Delap, who has emerged as a key player for Ipswich.

Ahead of the game, Merson cautioned Everton to be aware of Delap’s threat.

The former Manchester City prospect has been in fine form, and his ability to trouble defenders could make a significant difference in the outcome of the match.

“Liam Delap has been outstanding for Ipswich this season. He’s a proper threat and a real handful for defenders,” Merson commented.

“It just shows what a youngster can do when given a chance.

Ipswich will be hoping he continues to find the back of the net because their survival depends on it.”

As Everton aim to extend their recent run of improved performances, keeping Delap quiet will be crucial to their success.

Both teams will view this match as a critical opportunity to boost their survival chances in what is shaping up to be a tight relegation battle.