Writer Prediction League: Everton at Bournemouth

For the first time this season, RBM's writers got out-and-out burned by an Everton performance. Tuesday's loss to Norwich City was the first time this season that zero of our staff picked a correct winner in an Everton match this season.

In fact, only one writer even picked up a single point from the Toffees' disastrous exit from the EFL Cup against Norwich City. Let's take a look at those picks:

I may have gotten a few confused responses from my colleagues and readers for choosing former Everton player Steven Naismith as the match's first goalscorer, but the Scot came through for me, netting me the only point of the entire match.

We did do significantly better in last weekend's Premier League match against Middlesbrough.

Darren and Ryan both correctly guessed the opening goalscorer, Everton's man of the match, and the final score -- picking up five points in the process. Calvin, Sean, and Troy also did well, picking up four points and creating a very congested Writer Prediction League scoreboard through five matchweeks.

The top eight spots are separated by only two points, with even the bottom-feeders only sitting seven points off the pace. Darren, Tyler, and I are currently atop the leaderboard, but a six-point week from Calvin, Ryan, Troy, Sean, or Tom could easily launch any of them into pole position next week.

To do so, they'll have to get their picks right for Everton's match away to Bournemouth this week, where the Toffees really ought to pick up three points against a struggling side. All but one of our writers foresees the Blues coming out on top.

There's a distinct lack of originality in this week's picks. Ryan, Sean, and Troy all have the exact same predictions, as do Calvin and Darren. Lukaku was chosen as the opening goalscorer in by 60% of participating writers, and Gueye was chosen as Everton's man of the match by 50% of participating writers.

Mirallas, Bolasie and Baines were among the other picks for opening goalscorer, with Deulofeu, Bolasie, and Mirallas rounding out the man of the match predictions.

With so many similar picks this week, it is bound to either be a huge week or a dreadful one for the Royal Blue Mersey staff!