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Chris Sutton predicts Everton will beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday

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Chris Sutton has told BBC Sport that he believes that Everton will beat Nottingham Forest when the pair meet this weekend, suggesting that the Toffees have actually not been that bad so far.

Frank Lampard’s men are one of just three sides in the Premier League yet to get off the mark in the opening two games of the campaign.

Nottingham Forest v West Ham United - Premier League
(Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

They were beaten by Chelsea on the opening day. And they suffered a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa last weekend.

Meanwhile, Forest picked up a dramatic win against West Ham on Sunday. Taiwo Awoniyi opened his account for Steve Cooper’s side following his summer switch.

Everton FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

Forest rode their luck at times. West Ham had a penalty saved and a goal controversially ruled out. Meanwhile, the Hammers also hit the crossbar on two occasions.

And with that, Sutton believes that Everton are more likely to come out on top. He suggested that the Toffees have been unlucky to not have any points so far.

“I get how important Nottingham Forest’s win over West Ham was, given the number of new signings they have made, but I actually felt the Hammers should have got something from the game,” he told BBC Sport, as he predicted a 2-0 home win.

“Everton badly need a similar result to kick-start their season, but I don’t think they are playing that badly.

“The Toffees are still missing a proper centre-forward, but they looked much better against Villa when new signing Amadou Onana came on.

“I fancy them here, especially because they are at home.”

Sutton believes Everton will beat Nottingham Forest

Certainly, playing at Goodison Park was absolutely crucial for Everton last season. The Toffees almost seemed to be a completely different team when they played in front of their own fans.

Forest really struggled on the opening day when they travelled to Newcastle. And how they cope with the Goodison Park atmosphere is going to go a long way to deciding how they fare on Saturday.

It would be a huge statement if Cooper’s side went to Merseyside and won. Meanwhile, it would be really troubling for Everton.

Certainly, much more of the pressure is on Lampard’s men to get a positive result.