The 'Sean Dyche derby' takes centre stage at Goodison Park on Saturday, as Everton play host to Burnley in a potentially pivotal Premier League battle for survival.
Vincent Kompany's side will be seeking revenge against the Toffees after they suffered a 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture at Turf Moor in mid-December.
Match preview
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Everton picked up what could prove to be a valuable point in their bid to avoid the drop when they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United at St James' Park on Tuesday night.
The Magpies were dominant after Alexander Isak netted a 15th-minute opener, but they paid the price for missing several opportunities to net a second, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised with an 88th-minute penalty, scoring his first goal since October to end a 22-game goal drought in all competitions.
Despite the draw, Everton have set an unwanted club record as their latest result was the 13th in succession without a Premier League win – the Toffees have not experienced a longer winless run in their top-flight history since 1937 (14 games).
Nevertheless, Dyche has taken plenty of positive from his side's performance and attitude in the draw with Newcastle to suggest that they have what it takes to stay above the dotted line. The Toffees still face the threat of a potential second points deduction, but as things stand, they sit 16th in the table and four points above the drop zone.
Everton enter Saturday's contest having lost nine of their last 14 home games against promoted teams, but they have already beaten Burnley twice this season – following up a 3-0 EFL Cup win with the aforementioned 2-0 top-flight success at Turf Moor – and they are looking to complete their first league double over the Clarets since 2018-19.
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After suffering five defeats in six games between January 31 and March 3, Burnley have since put together a four-match unbeaten run, picking up six points from three draws and one victory.
The Clarets followed up a much-needed 2-1 home win over Brentford with back-to-back score draws against Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers, claiming a point from a 1-1 draw with the latter on Tuesday night.
Jacob Bruun Larsen scored his second goal in as many home games to put Burnley ahead in the 37th minute, but their lead was short-lived as Rayan Ait-Nouri restored parity for the visitors on the stroke of half time, and both sided eventually cancelled each other out in the second half.
Burnley have now failed to win in nine Premier League games this season after scoring the opening goal, and Kompany's side remain in danger of an immediate demotion back to the Championship as they sit 19th in the table, six points adrift of safety.
The Clarets, who have not won a Premier League away games since December 23 – beating Fulham 2-0 – head into Saturday's contest having lost six of their last eight top-flight visits to Everton, winning the other two in October 2017 (1-0) and March 2021 (2-1) under current Toffees boss Dyche.
Team News
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Everton duo Dele Alli (groin) and Lewis Dobbin (ankle) remain sidelined with injuries, while Arnaut Danjuma (ankle) has taken part in training this week but is "not quite fit yet" according to Dyche, so Saturday's game will come too soon for the winger.
Dyche has also revealed that Amadou Onana "has had a few knocks" and will be assessed ahead of kickoff, while Andre Gomes, who played the final 30 minutes against Newcastle, is in contention to feature again having made progress in his recovery from a calf problem.
Calvert-Lewin will be pushing to start up front ahead of Beto after scoring in midweek, while Seamus Coleman, James Garner and Jack Harrison will also be looking to force their way back into the first XI after beginning as substitutes against Newcastle.
As for Burnley, they have no fresh injury concerns, with Aaron Ramsey, Luca Koleosho (both knee) and Nathan Redmond (thigh) all still sidelined with long-term injuries.
Arijanet Muric is expected to start his fourth successive game between the sticks at the expense of James Trafford, while a back four of Vitinho, Dara O'Shea, Maxime Esteve and Charlie Taylor is set to remain intact.
Chelsea loanee David Datro Fofana could be joined in attack by Lyle Foster, although Zeki Amdouni will be pushing for a recall.
Everton possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Garner, Onana, McNeil; Doucoure; Beto
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Muric; Vitinho, O'Shea, Esteve, Taylor; Odobert, Cullen, Berge, Larsen; Fofana, Foster
We say: Everton 2-2 Burnley
Only basement club Sheffield United (27) have scored fewer Premier League goals than Everton (31) this season, but having already scored five goals across two victories against Burnley this season, the Toffees can be confident of finding the net once again, considering that the Clarets have conceded in each of their last 14 games.
Both teams will fancy their chances of claiming maximum points from this bottom-half showdown, but with little to separate the pair, we can see the spoils being shared in a closely-fought yet end-to-end contest.
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