- Burnley won 1-0 away on Oct. 1
- Clubs separated by three points
- Everton leads all-time 48W-29D-34L
The race for seventh in the Premier League pits a surprising top half contender with a club that planned to be much higher on the table (Watch live at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN and online via NBCSports.com).
The latter is Everton, and Sam Allardyce’s men look like his other stops at teams with aspirations: Disappointing. The Toffees have won just two of their last 10 kicks.
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That’s stopped them from catching Burnley, who has not been able to maintain its early season pace. As high as fifth following a Dec. 16 draw, the Clarets have not won since (though Sean Dyche’s men have posted six draws in 11 matches).
What they’re saying
Sean Dyche on Burnley pride: “The journey here is about winning, but what often gets overlooked is the amount of good work done by my staff and the players themselves. Nick (Pope) is a case in example. A very short time ago he was playing at Charlton and they were relegated from the Championship. Now, we read he is being considered for England and a possibility for a World Cup. The work that (Goalkeeping Coach) Billy Mercer has put in, also with Tom Heaton, and all my staff here with players like Michael Keane, Kieran Trippier, Danny Ings, Charlie Austin, Andre Gray and, to bring it up to date with Tarky, Ben Mee and Corky.”
Sam Allardyce on returning defenders Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman: "“There is no doubt they contribute offensively and defensively. Not just with their passing ability or final-third attacking ability but, certainly from Seamus’ point of view, the added one on top of that is his goals – not just his assists. And Leighton is good on the assists side and penalties. Where we have been a bit light up front is in the number of goals people have scored – anybody who can pick up goals in the rest of our team adds to the tally and can contribute to the results we are looking for, particularly away from home.”
Prediction
The Clarets are due for a win, and would claim a surprising sweep of Everton with a win at home. Might they do it? Sure, but we’ll peg each side for a goal and a point. 1-1.
