Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 01/10/2017
Kick-off: 14:15 (BST)
Match
Everton welcome Burnley to Goodison Park on Sunday and the match is certain to be a test of the Toffees mental state following a couple of very difficult weeks.
Ronald Koeman’s side’s struggles this season have been documented and the pressure is really ramping up on the Dutchman following Everton very disappointing 2-2 draw against Limassol in the Europa League during the week.
Everton now focus their attention towards the Premier League and it goes without saying that Koeman will need his side to claim a victory from the encounter in order for Koeman to avoid further pressure ramping up on his shoulders.
Everton Team News
Everton have been handed a double defensive blow with the news that Michael Keane and Phil Jagielka will be missing for the encounter and it now looks like Koeman will have to stick to a back four due to the absence of the duo.
Mason Holgate is expected to fill in at centre back alongside Ashley Williams while the rest of the backline should consist of Leighton Baines and Cuco Martina ahead of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
In midfield, Morgan Schneiderlin and Idriss Gueye will be continuing their partnership and the advanced players close to the middle of the park are expected to be Wayne Rooney, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Oumar Niasse is expected to start for Everton following his heroics against Bournemouth last time out while the likes of Sandro Ramirez and Nikola Vlasic provide the cover from the substitute bench.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Pickford; Williams, Holgate, Cuco Martina, Baines; Schneiderlin, Gueye, Sigurdsson, Rooney, Calvert-Lewin; Niasse
Burnley (Probable XI): Pope; Ward, Tarkowski, Mee, Lowton; Arfield, Defour, Cork, Brady, Hendrick; Wood
Last Meeting
15/04/2017 Everton 3 – 1 Burnley
22/10/2016 Burnley 2 – 1 Everton
Prediction
Everton have won all of their home games against Burnley since the Clarets’ promotion into the Premier League and it looks like the Toffees will once again maintain the record.
That said, Burnley have been performing very well away from home this season and Everton will surely need to improve their performances in order to be able to get the job done.
Everton 2 – 0 Burnley
