Everton take on Arsenal at Goodison Park on Sunday in a game which could decide who wins the battle for fourth place and a coveted Champions League slot.
Here Andy Gray and Richard Keys, who front beIN Sports’ EPL coverage, discuss the game and Everton’s progress under Roberto Martinez.
Andy Gray: I think my old club Everton have done terrifically well this season. It would be wrong to say he has transformed the side since he took over from David Moyes, but Roberto Martinez has tweaked them and has got them playing a different style of football.
He has been fortunate with two fantastic loan signings in Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku who, in my opinion, and I think most Evertonians would agree, have been their best two players this year.
Roberto brought his own style of playing to Everton but I think he would admit that he has learnt from Everton as much as the club has learnt from him. If you look at his first few results they were mainly draws because they passed the ball to death.
But, with the signing of Lukaku in particular, they suddenly started to mix it up a bit. Martinez introduced more patience with his passing game but they started playing the ball up to Lukaku as often as they could which gave them more of an edge.
Right now they are playing a style of football that Everton fans like and I think they have a belief that they can catch Arsenal, and that is vital. A team with confidence is always dangerous.
Sunday’s game is almost like a cup final for Everton. Arsenal know the one team they have to worry about when they look over their shoulder is Everton, not Tottenham.
With that in mind the Gunners might go to Goodison thinking that as long as they don’t lose it will be OK, but that will suit Everton. They will be up for this and will be on the front foot from the first whistle.
I can see them winning this 2-1 but does that then mean they will finish fourth? As a former player for the club you might expect me to say ‘yes’, but that’s not the case.
Obviously, I would love to see them take that fourth place away from Arsenal, but I just can’t see it happening because of the run-in they have which is against them.
Apart from this game against Arsenal they have also got Man City and Man United so their fixtures for the rest of the season look a lot tougher than the Gunners’. That’s why I think fifth place is more realistic.
Richard Keys: Martinez has surprised me because I feared he might soften Everton too much with the passing game he prefers. The success Everton had under David Moyes was down to them being solid.
They didn’t give much away and could grind out a 1-0 win as well as anybody. Thankfully, my fears have proved to be unfounded, although I would still not say Martinez has made that much of a difference.
Until three weeks ago there were point for-point in the same position they were last season. But if they manage to finish in fourth place, and, unlike Andy I think that is possible, then he will be able to claim significant progress.
Lukaku has given them an extra edge up front, but I would say Gareth Barry has been the most important player this season.
Lukaku has been a bit in and out for me, and although everybody from Tim Howard all the way through the team has been really impressive, Barry has been the star of the show.
Andy makes a good point about Everton’s run-in but I think if they can beat Arsenal, and I think they will, they will have the momentum and Arsenal have the FA Cup to think about and all of a sudden they have distractions on top of the pressure of finishing fourth.
Sunday’s game will be fascinating, but with the Goodison crowd behind them, Everton should win this 2-1.
WEST HAM v LIVERPOOL
AG: Most people will probably predict a Liverpool win but I don’t agree. Yes, Brendan Rodgers’ side have won eight games on the trot which is very difficult to do in the Premier League but the wheels will come off somewhere and I think it could be at Upton Park which is why I’m going for a 1-1 draw.
RK: Andy is right. Liverpool will come unstuck somewhere, but he is wrong to think it will be here. Andy Carroll could cause problems against his old club, but the best West Ham can hope for is a point. There is something about Liverpool which is irresistible and I can see them becoming the first team this season to win nine on the trot. 2-0 away win.
MAN CITY v SOUTHAMPTON
AG: This is a difficult game for City because Southampton are a good side, but I think Manuel Pellegrini’s side have too much quality for the Saints and will win this 3-1, even without Sergio Aguero who has been ruled out of this game.
RK: I can see this ending 2-2. Southampton won’t be intimidated by City and have enough quality players with Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana to score. My doubts about City tripping up along the way might come to the fore this weekend so I think the Saints will get something out of an entertaining game.
CHELSEA v STOKE
AG: This is a tough one to call because it depends on Jose Mourinho’s mindset – does he think he can win the EPL title or does he think he can turn over a 3-1 deficit and beat PSG in the Champions League quarter-final, second leg in which case he might put out a weakened side?
If that happens, Stoke, who have looked much better recently, could get a point out of this. Personally, I don’t think Chelsea have given up on the title just yet and Mourinho will play a side good enough to win 2-0.
RK: Stoke are relaxed now because they are safe and Chelsea will have their minds on the PSG game. Because of that slight distraction, I think Stoke are good enough to come away from Stamford Bridge with a point. 1-1.
ASTON VILLA v FULHAM
AG: On form Villa should win but their home form is shocking. Fulham look like they are going down, but they have some good players who might cause a mediocre Villa some problems. 1-1.
RK: No Christian Benteke for Villa is a blow and we all know about their home record. Fulham are rubbish and look doomed, but they are at least still having a go. 1-1.
CARDIFF v CRYSTAL PALACE
AG: This is the most difficult game to predict this weekend because it is so important to both teams. Palace will be on a high after beating Chelsea, and because of that I’m going for Palace to win 1-0.
RK: Cardiff have looked much better over the past few weeks, and although Palace had a great result against Chelsea, I doubt they can keep that sort of form up. This is such a big game for both teams that I think they will cancel each other out. 0-0.
HULL v SWANSEA
AG: This is another tough call but Hull will know one more victory will secure their Premier League survival and they can then concentrate on the FA Cup. Because of that Hull will win 1-0.
RK: I don’t fancy Swansea because you just never know what you are going to get. One week they look OK but they next they are terrible. I agree with Andy that the motivation of securing their place in the EPL will inspire Hull. 3-0.
NEWCASTLE v MAN UNITED
AG: I don’t fancy United. They are still too ordinary for me, and although many are saying Newcastle look like a team who have lost interest in this season, they will be determined to win this and I think they will. 2-1.
RK: Don’t agree. Newcastle’s season is over, and although most teams would raise their game against United, I don’t think Alan Pardew’s team has got a game to raise. 2-0 away win.
NORWICH v WEST BROM
AG: Another important game for both teams, but the fact Norwich are at home just sways it for me, so I think they will nick it 1-0.
RK: Yes, home advantage will give Norwich the edge. They have to win their next two games because they won’t get much from their final run-in against Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal. 2-1 home win.
TOTTENHAM v SUNDERLAND
AG: Sunderland look like a side that has decided they are going down, and although Spurs have looked a bit vulnerable in the past few months, I don’t think they will struggle in this one at White Hart Lane and will cruise to a 3-0 win.
RK: I don’t think there is much left in the tank for Sunderland who look to have given up on trying to survive. They just can’t find a performance. I don’t think Gus Poyet will be able to get anything more out of these players this season, so I agree with Andy. 3-0.
