Everton come into this huge Premier League relegation clash on their longest winless league win run for 67 years (D6, L7), but encouraged by a solid point on the road against Newcastle United in midweek. Burnley’s draw at home to Wolves (1-1) meant the gap between the two sides stayed at seven points, while the Toffees crucially gained a point on 18th-placed Luton Town following their loss at Arsenal.
This game is the start of a vital period of home matches for the Toffees who face three of the current bottom six across their next four Goodison fixtures. As manager Sean Dyche readies to face off against his former employer, boosting his side’s chances should be the fact they have already beaten Burnley twice this season in the league (2-0) and here in the Carabao Cup back in November (3-0) – not since 1995/1996 have Everton beaten a team three times in a season without conceding a goal.
A four match unbeaten league run (W1, D3) would suggest this Burnley side have turned a corner since then, but manager Vincent Kompany would have liked to have seen more points on the board for their efforts during that streak, particularly as they led in three of the matches, including against Wolves in midweek. Holding onto leads has been difficult all season, as no side has picked up fewer points per game than the Clarets after taking the lead this season (1.31 – W4, D5, L4).
Still, amid their longest unbeaten run of the season, Burnley will travel with confidence that they can chip away at that six-point gap to safety ahead of the round. And having started to find the net consistently, Burnley’s prospects of success likely hinder on their defensive display given they’ve conceded 2+ goals in their past six on the road, last having a longer such run in the competition back in 2009/10.
Players to watch: Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin ended an 18-league-game goalless run with his effort against Newcastle – he’s also netted in three of his past five league games against the Clarets. Slightly more prolific of late, Burnley winger Jacob Bruun Larsen has doubled his tally for the season (G4) with two goals in his last three matches.
Hot stat: Everton have lost nine of their last 14 Premier League home games against promoted sides (W3, D2).
