PRAISE: For Leeds United from Everton boss David Moyes.placeholder image
PRAISE: For Leeds United from Everton boss David Moyes. | Martin Rickett/PA Wire
David Moyes is looking up the Premier League table but what are the chances of Everton qualifying for Europe.
David Moyes took Everton to within a whisker of the Champions League only to be undone by a rare Pierluigi Collina mistake, much to the ire of Duncan Ferguson.
European football hasn’t been seen often enough given the Toffees long and distinguished history, however, the current season represents the best chance since the last time that Moyes was in charge to make it across the line.
The Premier League is closer than it has ever been which means that as many as 10 teams are still in with a shout of making at least the Europa League depending on how the rest of the season goes for English clubs in Europe.
David Moyes dreams of Everton in Europe
Moyes though, isn’t getting too carried away, even if he is looking up the table, rather than over his shoulder, for once, via BBC Sport: “I think at the moment, the position we are in, we have to keep thinking we can challenge the top. I am trying to drive that through and want the players to hear it. I am too old to sit here and say I’m just going to try and keep us away from the bottom of the league,” Moyes said before the painful defeat to Bournemouth.
“I think if we can become a team in Europe it will help because a lot of the better players are looking for Europe. Even the clubs with squads of 21-24 players, you find that you get more game time. We would have to leave two or three players out of the squad when everyone is fit because there is no room for them on the bench. What builds your spirit in the squad is having more games because they are getting more minutes then and they have to play a part.”
What are the odds of Everton qualifying for Europe?
According to Opta though, Moyes isn’t going to get his wish. The Premier League’s official statistics partner has Everton finishing in 10th place and with just a 1% chance of reaching the Europa League. They are predicted to get 51.7 points some 10 points behind city rivals Liverpool in sixth on 61.24. The next five fixtures for Everton include having to face Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United in what is a run of games that could make or break their season.
Having more Champions League places could affect how many teams are granted access into the Europa League or Europa Conference League, however, Opta’s predictions don’t take into account European performance and the fact that English clubs are amongst the favourites to win all three European tournaments and land the extra places that come with them.
Brentford are tipped to get 58 points, Bournemouth 54 and Newcastle 53 which shows how congested the fight for Europe is and how it could go to the last day of the season. Sunderland are tipped for 51 points. European places could go down to eighth this season but to finish seventh the Toffees would need 59 points to finish above Brentford.
Moyes will need the stunning away form to continue, but for the dismal home form to show signs of life, is his dream is to become a reality.
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