Duncan Ferguson has backed Everton to beat Bournemouth and secure their Premier League survival status on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues lead both Leicester City and Leeds United by two points as the final day approaches and know beating the drop is in their hands ahead of what is set to be a tense afternoon at Goodison Park.
Results from elsewhere are likely to filter in around the ground, only adding to the nerves, only adding to the idea Sean Dyche's side require an early goal to ease any pre-match nerves.
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Of the view Everton will rise to the occasion and get the better of the Cherries, Ferguson believes the players only have themselves to blame for their current position but have the power to avoid dropping into the relegation zone.
"They've not been good enough, that's the end of it," the now Forest Green Rovers boss told talkSPORT. "The players have not performed and they have struggled. At the end of the day, it really boils down to a lack of performance on the pitch and maybe a bit of poor recruitment along the way.
"The crowd will play a massive part and will get behind the team as they always do," continued the Scot on Sunday's showdown. "Everton have been in this position before, they were in it last year, and they managed to get out of it. The fans made a massive impact on that and they will do the same on Sunday. They are a massive part of the club and I'm sure, in the end, they will push the team over the line. I fully expect them to get over the line on Sunday.
"I cannot see Bournemouth going to Goodison Park and winning. Everton will be too much for them, the fans will be too much for them and I think Everton will win the match and stay up."
One player Everton will be without this weekend is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who was today ruled out by Dyche, representing another injury blow for the forward. Sympathetic to the situation of the 26-year-old, Ferguson added: "I still speak to him and see him, not as often as I did obviously. I was with him about four weeks ago down in London. He's a top player and, at the end of the day, when the kid has been fit he has delivered.
"He's trying his very best to get himself healthy and fit. It's just one of those unfortunate things, but Dominic is a top player. He has been a massive miss to Everton this season. I know for a fact he is trying everything he can to get himself fit."
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