Turf Moor is the venue for Sunday’s Premier League match as Burnley look to welcome Everton. Both teams have been struggling for form in recent months. Can Everton bounce back against Burnley?
Burnley have been struggling all through the season and are fighting to move out of the relegation zone. They have picked up 11 points in 15 Premier League matches this season and are placed at the 18th spot in the league, with one win, eight draws, and six losses. They have been poor of late, failing to win any of their last five matches. Burnley’s poor form in front of goal continued as they welcomed West Ham in the previous game, although they did pick up a decent point. Both teams struggled to create clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities as the match ended in a stalemate. Sean Dyche’s men would be looking to end their winless run as they welcome an injury-hit and struggling Everton. For the past couple of seasons, the Clarets have managed to cling on to the Premier League football after struggling at the start of the season, although this scenario does not guarantee that they would be able to do so in the current season as well. Burnley are currently five points below where they were last season, and seven worse off than they were the season before. Maxwell Cornet looks doubtful for the match, while Connor Roberts and Dale Stephens are sidelined as well.
In their previous game against West Ham, Burnley were held on to a draw despite having a better xG than their opponents. Jay Rodriguez had the highest xG, while Matthew Lowton made the highest number of recoveries in the opponent’s half. James Tarkowski made 13 passes to the final third.
The Clarets have been dominant in terms of successful aerial duels, as indicated by the above chart. They average 23.61 successful aerial duels per match.
In a similar manner to their opponents, Everton have also been struggling to bounce back. The Toffees have picked up just five points from the available 30. Their poor form has seen them drop down to 14th position in the league, with five wins, four draws, and eight losses in 17 matches. Everton’s have just one victory in their previous five matches. The Toffees current form is more reminiscent of a relegation contender rather than a team that has managed to stay in the top half of the Premier League in previous seasons. If their current form continues, they are sure to find themselves battling for survival in the league. Everton would be looking to bounce back starting with the game against Burnley as their upcoming fixtures are against sides in the bottom half of the table. The Toffees faithful will be overjoyed by the news of their returning striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who could return to the bench for the Boxing-day match, although Richarlison and Townsend are set to remain sidelined for the match against Burnley.
In the recent game against Chelsea, Everton dominated multiple attacking stats. Despite that, they stood strong defensively and were able to pull back an equalizer after going behind.
In terms of successful defensive duels, Everton are placed at the third spot. They average 43.10 successful defensive duels per match.
Predicted XI
Burnley (4-4-2): Pope; Lowton, Mee, Tarkowski, Taylor; Cork, Guomundsson, Westwood, Rodriguez; Wood, McNeil.
Everton (4-4-1-1): Pickford; Godfrey, Keane, Holgate, Coleman; Branthwaite, Doucoure, Gomes, Iwobi; Gordon; Simms.
Prediction
With both teams currently struggling, a draw is a likely scenario for this one.
