"They’ll be relaxed" - Mark Lawrenson makes big scoreline prediction for Arsenal vs Everton
Pundit Mark Lawrenson has backed Arsenal to comfortably beat Everton in their final game of the season at the Emirates on Sunday, May 19. The Gunners could still win the Premier League title but they will need to beat the Toffees and hope other results go their way.
The north London side have had an excellent 2023-24 campaign as they sit second in the league table, two points behind Manchester City. They have a better goal difference by one. Hence, if City drop points against West Ham United at home, Mikel Arteta's side could win the title. They have won their last five games in a row.
Everton, meanwhile, are in terrific form as well with five wins in their last seven games, drawing and losing one each. They have escaped relegation despite their points deduction and sit 15th in the table. Lawrenson, however, has predicted the Toffees' season to end in a defeat at the Emirates, as he wrote for Paddy Power:
"Everton have had a good season when you consider the points deduction. They’ve gone clear of the drop zone so they’ll be relaxed. I know Sean Dyche has said they’ll give it everything they’ve got but you only need two or three thinking, ‘It’s the last game of the season, I’m looking forward to my holidays’. I’m going for Arsenal to win comfortably."
Prediction: 3-0
A look at Arsenal's previous clash against Everton
The Toffees hosted the Gunners at Goodison Park on September 17, 2023, in the reverse fixture. Arsenal hadn't won at the venue since 2017 when they won 5-2. However, they were excellent from the first whistle and completely dominated the game.
The Gunners had 74% possession and made 668 passes with an 89% accuracy. They had 13 attempts on goal with four being on target. Leandro Trossard scored the solitary goal of the match in the 69th minute.
Everton, meanwhile, made 235 passes with 67% accuracy. They had eight attempts on goal with one being on target. Both sides created some good opportunities but the scoreline remained 1-0 in the favor of the visitors.