Everton Set For Fourth?

Last updated : 17 March 2009 By Tom Vickers
Following Villa's defeat against Spurs, Martin O'Neill's men currently sit fifth, level on points with fourth placed Arsenal. So can the Claret and Blue still realistically grab a Champions League spot at the end of the season?

Well, Stan Collymore has had his chance at predicting the way things will pan out during the run in so here at Villa-MAD, we thought we would give our totally, unbiased (well sort of) view on whether Villa can actually finish fourth.

With four points separating the Gunners in pole position from Everton in sixth, we thought we had better take a look at the chances of those two sides as well.

Stay tuned for our analysis of Arsenal and Villa's final fixtures but first up, we focus on David Moyes and his Everton boys.

March 22 - Portsmouth (a)

Everton were spanked by Pompey earlier in the season and they will undoubtedly be out for revenge in this one. They should get it as Portsmouth are a much changed outfit from their 3-0 victory at Goodison Park in August.

Villa-MAD Prediction: 0-2

April 5 - Wigan (h)

Another side looking to do the double over the Toffees, Wigan are a tricky proposition at the best of times as Villa found in a 0-0 draw at Villa Park. But Everton, who are firing on all cylinders at home should do what the Claret and Blue failed to do and win.

Villa-MAD Prediction: 2-1

April 12 - Villa (a)

This is one of the toughest fixtures to call with Everton good on their travels and Villa not so good at home. You can't look past a draw in a big game at Villa Park.

Villa-MAD Prediction: 1-1

April 22 - Chelsea (a)

Chelsea are back to their boring best under Guus Hiddink, grinding out results week after week. They managed to sneak a win at Villa in Hiddink's first game in charge and this should be more of the same.

Villa-MAD Prediction: 1-0

April 25 - Man City (h)

City are poor on their travels and with their eyes firmly fixed on a Uefa Cup win they may just be tempted to put less than 100 per cent into this one, meaning Everton have every chance of recording maximum points.

Villa-MAD Prediction: 2-0

May 2 - Sunderland (a)

Travelling to the North-East is never easy and although Villa managed to turn over Ricky Sbragia's men, Everton may not have the same luck.

Villa-MAD Prediction: 2-2

May 9 - Tottenham (h)

Harry Redknapp's side are one of the most unpredictable teams in the Premiership. They can be brilliant one day and hopeless the next so this game is a bit of a lottery. A draw looks the most likely outcome.

Villa-MAD Prediction: 1-1

May 16 - West Ham (h)

The Hammers are likely to go all out to win at Goodison Park with Uefa Cup places probably going all the way down to seventh position this season. But on this occasion Everton will exploit Gianfranco Zola's free-flowing football ethic.

Villa-MAD Prediction: 3-1

May 24 - Fulham (a)

Craven Cottage has been a bit of a fortress for Fulham this season and the big boys have found it really tough going there, with the exception of Manchester United who crushed Roy Hodgson's men in the F.A. Cup. Everton, though, won't follow United's example.

Villa-MAD Prediction: 2-2

Predicted Points Total: 64

The Villa-MAD Everton predictions mean Arsenal will require just 12 to finish fourth, while Villa are likely to require 13, taking goal difference into account.

At 10/1 the Toffees look unlikely to breach the top four come May 24, but they have done it before and with magical Moyes in charge they have every chance.

Find out what Villa-MAD think of Arsenal's chances in our next instalment of the race for fourth coming soon!