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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Connor O'Neill

Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville make Everton relegation claims after Leicester draw at Newcastle

Jamie Carragher believes Everton’s confidence in avoiding the drop might have suffered as a result of Leicester City’s draw with Newcastle United.

Everton head into their final game of the season against Bournemouth knowing that a win would preserve their Premier League status. That is because both Leeds United and Leicester failed to take all three points following the Blues’ draw with Wolves on Saturday.

As things stand, Leicester have to beat West Ham United on the last day at the King Power Stadium to have any hope of avoiding relegation and hope Bournemouth can take something from their trip to Goodison Park.

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Leeds also need a win to have any chance of staying up and could still be relegated even if they beat Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road and Everton don't beat Bournemouth because Leicester sit above them in the table on goal difference.

But although Carragher still believes the Blues are favourites to avoid the drop, he does think the Foxes' point at St James' Park will give them confidence heading into their clash against David Moyes’ side.

"Of course Everton are big favourites to stay up," the former Liverpool and England defender told Monday Night Football. "I actually think going into that final week of training, yes, it’s in Everton’s hands, but they’d have been expecting to maybe only need a draw at the weekend.

"There might actually be more of a slight feel-good factor at Leicester on the back of a clean sheet, and they’re still in it; they might have thought they would be out of it.

"I actually think they’ll look forward more to the game than maybe Everton, who are looking there thinking it’s still all on."

Asked for his thoughts, Gary Neville said: "A lot has to go well for Leeds. They’re going to need Everton to lose; it goes without saying. Even if Everton get a point and Leeds win, the goal difference [is too much].

"Is a win likely against Tottenham? I’m not sure. I think something mad is gonna have to happen for Leeds to stay up, but it’s all on Everton, isn’t it?

"They’re the ones that have got it in control, they’re at home against a team that everyone will fancy them to beat, and the pressure is on them.

"Without (Dominic) Calvert-Lewin they’re gonna have to do something on Sunday because if Everton are 1-0 up even with five or 10 minutes to go, imagine that."

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