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Preview: Burnley vs. Everton - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Premier League clash between Burnley and Everton, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Burnley and Everton will both be looking to bounce back from disappointing defeats last time out when they meet at Turf Moor on Saturday lunchtime.

The Clarets were thrashed 5-0 by Manchester City in their most recent outing, while Everton went down 1-0 at home to Leeds United.

Eleven points separate the sides heading into this opening Premier League fixture of the weekend, with the Toffees in eighth and their opponents in the bottom three.


Match preview

Burnley manager Sean Dyche pictured in November 2020© Reuters

In what has been a year of uncertainty, there was almost a sense of inevitability about the outcome of Burnley's trip to Man City last weekend.

Riyad Mahrez scored a hat-trick to help inflict a fourth successive 5-0 defeat on Sean Dyche's side at the Etihad Stadium in the most one-sided of games.

Dyche tried something different in terms of tactics, but any momentum built from the previous week's 1-0 home win over Crystal Palace may well have been lost.

That was the Clarets' only win of the campaign so far and they are now seeking consecutive Premier League home victories for the first time since October 2019.

The second win in that sequence came against Everton, making it four wins in six home top-flight meetings with the Toffees.

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti pictured on November22, 2020© Reuters

Scoring has been a major issue for the home side, with no team netting fewer than their four goals, but Everton are not exactly known for their strong defensive record.

Since shutting out Tottenham Hotspur on the opening weekend, Carlo Ancelotti's charges have conceded in nine Premier League games running - only Sheffield United (13) are on a longer run without a clean sheet.

The Toffees have lost four of their last five games heading into this one, the exception being a tight 3-2 win over Fulham in their most recent away outing.

Going back into last season, though, Everton have won four of their last six matches on their travels. Burnley, by comparison, have four home wins in their last 13 outings, losing four in a row before their win over Palace.

Burnley Premier League form: DLLDWL

Everton Premier League form: DLLLWL


Team News

Burnley's Nick Pope in action against Sheffield United in the Premier League on July 5, 2020© Reuters

Bailey Peacock-Farrell became just the third goalkeeper to concede five or more on his Premier League debut last weekend, but Burnley are hopeful of having Nick Pope back from a head injury.

Phil Bardsley and Josh Brownhill also missed the trip to the Etihad Stadium but are making good progress in their recoveries, while Robbie Brady and Dale Stephens are two other fitness doubts.

Dyche turned to Josh Benson against City and the 20-year-old midfielder may have to fill in again alongside Ashley Westwood if the injuries do not clear up.

As for Everton, they will be without the influential Lucas Digne for a few months, while fellow full-back Seamus Coleman and midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin are also on the sidelines.

Ancelotti persisted with a five-man defence against Leeds, but Tom Davies did not look comfortable as a right wing-back and a tactical rethink may be required.

The experienced Italian coach also has a big call to make in the heart of his backline, where Mason Holgate was preferred to Yerry Mina last weekend.

Burnley possible starting lineup:
Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Gudmundsson, Westwood, Benson; McNeil; Rodriguez, Wood

Everton possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Godfrey, Mina, Keane; Davies, Allan, Doucoure, Iwobi; Rodriguez, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison


SM words green background

We say: Burnley 1-2 Everton

Everton have badly lost their way after a really strong start to the season and have an extremely tough run of games to come after this trip to Turf Moor.

If not quite must win, anything less than three points in Lancashire will be considered a poor result for the Toffees, who have aspirations of challenging for a European spot.

None of the 12 Premier League games between Burnley and Everton has been drawn - the Clarets winning five to the Toffees' seven - and we are going with an away win this weekend.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data



Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:


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Who will win Saturday's Premier League clash between Burnley and Everton?

Burnley
18.9%
Draw
15.6%
Everton
65.5%
771
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Burnley manager Sean Dyche pictured in November 2020
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Tottenham HotspurSpurs1274124101425
2Liverpool127412718925
3Leicester CityLeicester128042415924
4Southampton127232417723
5Chelsea1264225121322
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham126242015520
7Everton126242118320
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd116231917220
9Manchester CityMan City115421711619
10Aston Villa106042113818
11Crystal Palace125251817117
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115241416-217
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves125251116-517
14Leeds UnitedLeeds124261722-514
15Arsenal124171015-513
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton122461521-610
17Burnley11236618-129
18Fulham122281222-108
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom12138925-166
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd120111521-161

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