Burnley welcome Everton to Turf Moor as both teams look for three vital points in the battle for survival.
Victory would see Sean Dyche’s Clarets move above Watford into 18th and one point away from safety – with the final survival spot currently occupied by Everton.
Frank Lampard’s Toffees however can open a six-point gap to the relegation zone with a win and put themselves seven points clear of Burnley.
Team News
Nathan Collins is available for Burnley after serving an one-match suspension in Saturday’s loss to Manchester City.
Matej Vydra (fitness) is a doubt but Ben Mee (knock), Erik Pieters (knee) and Johann Berg Gudmundsson (calf) remain absent.
Everton will be without Michael Keane after he was red carded in Sunday’s loss at West Ham.
Andre Gomez (knock) is a doubt but Fabian Delph (thigh) and Seamus Coleman (illness) could return.
Allan (suspension), Tom Davies, Donny van de Beek (both thigh), Nathan Patterson (ankle), Yerry Mina (quad) and Andros Townsend (knee) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Burnley have won two of their last five meetings against Everton (W2, D1, L2).
- Everton have won just two of seven Premier League trips to Turf Moor (W2, D1, L4).
- Burnley have failed to win in five previous Boxing Day showdowns against Everton (D1, L4).
- Two of Maxwel Cornet’s six league goals for Burnley this season have been scored at home.
- All four of Everton’s red cards this season have been dished out after half-time.
Prediction
Although pretty much everyone knew Burnley weren’t going to beat Man City on Saturday, they surprisingly put in a decent effort because they threatened well when got chances to attack, whilst also relatively defended well except for both goals where they were just outplayed.
Sean Dyche’s Clarets though surely have to view this as a six-pointer because if they win then it’s game on in their fight for survival, otherwise preparations for relegation likely must immediately begin and especially in terms of Dyche’s future at the club and their overall direction.
Everton meanwhile seem stuck in their rut with more injury and discipline issues to boot, although full respect should be given for how they handled West Ham’s aggressive attacking on Sunday despite getting defensively outclassed and wasting numerous chances.
Clinical finishing will therefore be absolutely crucial to the outcome of this match because I suspect that Burnley on Saturday were saving themselves for this game, so I expect a strong attacking display from the Clarets whereas Everton just need to find something to lift morale.
I however am going for a home win because Everton just seem all over the place from confidence issues to injury and disciplinary concerns, which could leave them vulnerable if they concede first.
Prediction: Burnley 2-1 Everton
Result: Burnley 3-2 Everton