Premier League: Everton are Set to Do Battle In Burnley

Burnley vs Everton

Carlo Ancelotti takes Everton to Turf Moor for the Premier League’s weekend curtain-raiser on Saturday, and he knows his team will be in for a stern test.

This is a meeting of two sides in a little turmoil. Everton made a spectacular start to the 2020/21 Premier League season, while Burnley had a disastrous opening few games as off-field distractions raged through a normally united club.

But Everton’s early optimism has been replaced by frustration while the Clarets have been showing glimpses of their old selves.

The Premier League 2020 betting odds back a win for the Toffees, and when you look at the depth of talent at Ancelotti’s disposal that makes perfect sense.

Everton have more quality in midfield in particular, but if the Clarets get it right at both ends of the pitch then we could be in for a fascinating clash.

Talking Points

Burnley looking to bounce back from City hiding

While they have been notoriously hard to beat in recent seasons, the Clarets as all SBOTOP fans will know, have a customary habit of losing 5-0 to Manchester City.

Right on cue they carried on that tradition last Saturday. For most teams, a result like that could damage confidence but not Burnley.

This was the Clarets’ fourth 5-0 drubbing at the Etihad in succession. The last time was the first game after lockdown in June, and Sean Dyche’s team recovered with a run of four wins and three draws – including one against Liverpool.

Clarets fans will hope to see a similar run kick off against the Toffees on Saturday.

Talks of a takeover and fractured relations between Dyche and his frugal board have been translated to poor performances on the pitch.

The Clarets have also been dogged by injuries to some key players, but now Dyche’s big guns are fit and ready.

England keeper Nick Pope will return after missing the City game with a head injury, and since skipper Ben Mee recovered from injury, Burnley have picked up four points from three games.

Can Burnley claim their second win in Premier League this season against Everton? — Chris Wood celebrates scoring a goal against Crystal Palace

Jay Rodriguez and wide man Johann Berg Gudmundsson have added some pace and guile, while big striker Chris Wood remains a handful for any defence.

Former Burnley centre-back Michael Keane certainly knows all about the physical attacking threat he’ll face.

What’s happened to Everton?

The early Premier League 2020 results were an eye-opener, particularly on Merseyside where Everton stormed out of the blocks, winning their opening seven games in all competitions and leaving newly crowned champions Liverpool in their wake.

But a 0-1 defeat at home to Leeds United last week meant the Toffees had collected only four points from the previous six games.

That loss was preceded by a 3-2 victory away to Fulham, but the last positive result prior to that came in the Mersey derby six weeks ago.

Striker Richarlison was sent off against Liverpool and was sorely missed in the following matches, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been scoring the goals.

Richarlison is such a key player for the Toffees with his lightning turn of pace and clinical finishing ability and he will be needed to add to his account come this weekend.

The departure of Theo Walcott and Moise Kean has left Everton short up front and equally, they have struggled to put together a settled backline.

Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne are both out injured and they are big losses, and the penalty areas at either end of the pitch are where Burnley have the most strength.

History

Burnley have won four and lost two of the last six meetings with Everton at Turf Moor and they will feel this is another good opportunity for three points.

The Clarets won this fixture 1-0 last October with a goal from Jeff Hendrick, a result which heaped more pressure on former manager Marco Silva – who was potted at Christmas to pave the way for Carlo Ancelotti.

Betting Tip

	Burnley vs Everton	Burnley Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 1.95
	December 5, 20:30 (GMT+8)

Everton have taken just four points from their last six games and Burnley only have one more in that time, so both teams are desperate for a result.

At 1.96 to win, the Toffees should have too much for their hosts. But while Everton are struggling with injuries to key players, the Clarets’ treatment room has emptied over the past couple of weeks.

1-1 is the most likely outcome at odds of 5.80, and that wouldn’t be a disaster for either team.