Joe Carroll: English League forecast as far out as the lighthouse

It’s been a long time since Inside Track took a look at the English Premier League. When we did give a mention to the game across the water, a forecast was made that’s been proven to be as far out as a lighthouse.

Everton, we said, to make the top four. To be in the bottom three, struggling to retain a status the Goodison Park club has held since goalies wore polo-necks – and even beyond – and the smell of Bovril wafted around grounds, would have been closer to it.

As they hover above the line that divides those in serious danger and the rest, Everton are going to be without the services of the injured Seamus Coleman. He is out with a serious injury.

The teak-tough Donegalman is also unlikely be included when Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland team renew their challenge for European Championship qualification next month.

Those in the red half of Manchester will doubtless disagree that it’s now all about whether or not City are going to do the treble. Well, it is. But to achieve it, Pep’s side must beat their arch-rivals in the FA Cup final.

City are home and hosed in the league, and on the evidence of their semi-final, when they wrecked the champions Real Madrid, their Champions League final opponents, Inter-Milan – another side that must be enjoying looking over the garden fence right now – will have to come up with a display for the ages to prevent the most cherished trophy in continental football from having a new name etched on it.

United, however, won’t be lacking in incentive at Wembley. There’s a trophy to be won, okay, but probably more important is the retention of their status as the only English club to bring up the treble. They did it in 1999, and to lose that bragging right to their near neighbours would be hard to take.