We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Kevin Campbell simply cannot call who will be relegated this season with Everton caught in the middle of an “absolutely crazy” fight.
Crystal Palace in 12th and Southampton who are bottom are separated by just four points in what is turning into the widest but tightest race against the drop in Premier League history, with the Toffees bang in the middle in 15th but just two points outside the bottom three and having played more than most sides around them.
Sky Sports pundit and former Goodison Park captain Campbell is changing his picks for who will go down on a weekly basis as teams suddenly pick up results when looking beyond hope, with the lowly Saints particularly surprising.
The former Toffees captain spoke exclusively to Goodison News on the subject and said: “This is the funny thing about my prediction. My prediction from last week can change by this week.
“It is absolutely crazy.
“I’d said Southampton would be gone. Southampton has won against Chelsea and has been incredible.
“I’ll be honest. I think it’s going to go down to the last day of the season, I honestly do.
“It’s three of eight. I could choose the bottom three now, but like I say, it’ll change when we start the Premier League again.
“Because the teams who I think have lost the plot, they then pick up results.
“It’s an exciting time to be down there. Not for those fans, but it’s an exciting time.”
The way things are going keeps every team involved simultaneously hopeful and on edge since one positive result can mean the difference of multiple places up the table, but one negative one the same in reverse.
Everton just needs to keep picking up points in the way they have been since Sean Dyche arrived, with the former Burnley boss crucially finding a way to score goals and avoid defeat away from home.
The habit of grinding out 1-0 wins at Goodison Park – three out of four – has turned what was starting to look like a lost cause into a very winnable battle, and whatever else is happening off the pitch there is plenty of reason for hope on it lately.
It certainly isn’t an exciting time for fans when at the bottom and looking up, but stringing results together and climbing the table very much is.
