Everton vs Burnley tips and predictions: Back Toffees to edge scrappy affair

With a further points deduction looming and their worst-ever Premier League run in progress, Everton will be desperate to claim three points against Burnley.

The Clarets have battled valiantly to avoid defeat in their last four matches, even though they trailed Chelsea twice with 10 men, and a win over the Toffees would be huge.

Vincent Kompany’s side are six points behind Nottingham Forest, who sit just outside the drop zone, and seven behind Sean Dyche’s visitors.

Everton enjoyed good spells against Bournemouth and Newcastle and were unlucky to leave the Vitality Stadium with nothing to show for their troubles.

This group of players is well-equipped to win games at this level and there are signs that a win is right around the corner.

A home fixture with a side in the bottom three is the perfect opportunity to steady and ship and it’s only a matter of time before Burnley’s poor defending costs them.

They’ve shipped 16 goals in six away matches, conceding three on four occasions and two in their most recent outings.

Notably, Kompany’s side have allowed two or more in 10 of their 15 Premier League away matches.

On the other hand, only four teams have kept the Clarets out but defeat in this game could have such dire consequences for both sides, a scrappy, low-scoring affair wouldn’t be a surprise.

 

Team news

Dele Alli, Arnaut Danjuma and Lewis Dobbin are unavailable due to injury.

Jack Harrison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are options if Dyche wants to freshen things up and the former could allow for a more attacking approach at the expense of Ashley Young.

The headline absences for Burnley are Jordan Beyer and the exciting Luca Koleosho.

Aaron Ramsey, Nathan Redmond, Ameen Al-Dakhil and Lorenz Assignon will also miss out.

 

Key stats

- Everton have beaten Burnley 3-0 and 2-0 this season
- Everton last went 14 games without a win in 1957
- Burnley have conceded two or more in their last six away games
- Burnley have lost 10 of their last 15 away games in all competitions

 

Suggested bets

Everton to win

Under 2.5 goals

Everton: Win to nil