The 248th Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool takes place this Sunday at Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium, marking the first clash at the venue. BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton highlighted the significance for Liverpool manager Arne Slot, noting, "He needs Champions League football next season, so he needs to win this derby."
Sutton is making predictions for all Premier League matches this season, and for this week's fixtures, he is joined by two notable guests with strong ties to the rivalry. Everton fan Molly McCann, a professional boxer and former MMA fighter, and Liverpool supporter Dr Simon 'Sice' Rowbottom, frontman of the band The Boo Radleys, shared their insights and predictions.
McCann, who fights on Saturday in Liverpool, discussed her deep connection to Everton, revealing that the club has supported her career since her second professional MMA bout. Her fight kit for the weekend incorporates memorabilia from past derbies, including flags and banners. She said, "What's been brilliant is the way Everton have backed me... For this weekend, the club have done a collaboration with me for my fight kit." McCann also paid tribute to Everton legend Neville Southall, including a special message in her kit.
Rowbottom, a qualified psychologist and lifelong Liverpool fan, reflected on the rivalry's history, recalling the era of Kenny Dalglish and Howard Kendall. He noted, "Back then, it was always a big rivalry, because Everton then were a good team under Howard Kendall as well. There were some really important matches then, with trophies at stake."
In their predictions for the weekend's Premier League matches, Sutton forecasted a 1-1 draw between Brentford and Fulham, while McCann predicted a 2-1 win for Brentford, and Rowbottom went for a 2-0 Brentford victory. An AI prediction also suggested a 2-1 outcome for that match.
The derby promises high stakes, with both teams eager to claim bragging rights in this historic fixture.