Season › 2018-19 › News
Burnley vs Everton
Match Preview
André Gomes will undergo a late fitness test along with Idrissa Gueye and Ademola Lookman
Everton make a mercifully short Boxing Day trip to Burnley needing to offer their fans a response to Sunday's embarrassment at the hands of Tottenham.
Having beaten the Clarets at Turf Moor during Roberto Martinez's second season, the Blues have lost on their last two visits under two separate managers and they can ill afford a third successive defeat there lest their recent slide from sixth to eleventh place continue further into the bottom half of the table.
In Everton's favour is the fact that Sean Dyche's outfit have not been anything like the team they were last season when they finished in seventh place and qualified for Europe, a feat that proved to be the poisoned chalice it so often is.
Despite showing a flicker of improvement with a 1-0 home win over Brighton a fortnight ago, that was Burnley's only win in their last seven since winning at Cardiff at the end of September and they will begin the day in the relegation zone.
Without an away win since the 6th of October, with just one victory in the last seven matches and now a season's nadir reached with the 6-2 drubbing by Spurs, Marco Silva needs to find some answers to a slide in form that meant Everton went into Christmas with fewer points, 24, than at the same stage as last year's debacle of a season.
And his task could be complicated by injury concerns over his first choice central midfield pairing. Idrissa Gueye has missed two games with a groin problem and remains a doubt while André Gomes will also undergo a late fitness test on the knee injury that forced him off on Sunday.
Ademola Lookman, meanwhile, will also be assessed for an unspecified knock reportedly picked up in training prior to the Spurs game as he looks for another opportunity to prove that he can be one of the solutions to Everton's attacking shortcomings of late.
Given the crowded nature of the festive fixture programme, the injury to Gomes and the possible need to make changes following a heavy defeat, Silva is unlikely to name an unchanged line-up today.
Yerry Mina could come back into the side, perhaps at the expense of Kurt Zouma while James McCarthy might finally make his return to first-team action following the double leg-break he sustained last January.
Up front, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has probable done enough to keep his place while Bernard's lively cameo off the bench could be weighed against Theo Walcott's goalscoring outing against Spurs.
Kick-off: 3pm, Wednesday 26 December, 2018
Referee: Michael Oliver
Last Time: Burnley 2 - 1 Everton
Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne, McCarthy, Davies, Sigurdsson, Walcott, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin
Full details: Match report page
Reader Comments (53)
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2 Posted 26/12/2018 at 07:49:48
3 Posted 26/12/2018 at 08:05:18
We go again
4 Posted 26/12/2018 at 08:19:23
No game in the Premier League is easy of course not but after the money we have spent, would Farhad Moshiri deem any less than six points from Burnley and Brighton acceptable?
It's high time that Everton started flexing their muscles.
Since November 3rd we have registered one win, against Cardiff, that's nowhere near good enough, not six months into Silva's reign.
Get a grip Everton, cut out the schoolboy mistakes and start winning some bloody away games.
5 Posted 26/12/2018 at 08:30:24
I also think that we,the fans who support the club also need to do our bit and step up our support.
The modern digital world has changed supporters and it feels like we want more all the time, we get to know more and communicate more but the basics of supporting your team are slowly being eroded away.
We go to the games to support the blues and that shouldn't just mean when it goes our way. Spurs was a disaster but we didn't support the team too many just upped and left.
I know the players don't give us a lot to support sometimes but that's because a lot of modern footballers just don't care. Ok, we don't like that but guess what Everton is our club not there's, we will still be here when they have gone.
We do care and should care and the only way we can really show we care is by the support we give the team.
Don't get me wrong I am no happy clapper and do my fair share of moaning, I have just decided we need to start enjoying supporting our beloved Everton again regardless of the events on the pitch that we can't control.
COYB
6 Posted 26/12/2018 at 08:37:38
7 Posted 26/12/2018 at 08:57:01
8 Posted 26/12/2018 at 09:02:46
9 Posted 26/12/2018 at 09:11:26
Pickford needs to learn from his mistakes quick.
I think goalkeepers peak far sooner these days than say 25 years ago, due to the general physical demand for fitness and the way the ball zips about nowadays.
Look at the top keepers throughout the world, most are at the peak of their powers by the age of 26.
The problem with Pickford is he needs to stop making brain farts and start calming down a bit, everything with him seems rushed.
Even that Anfield cock up, it was bread and butter to just remain calm and follow the movement of the ball but he confused the situation, same on Sunday and against West Ham in the 3-1 losses in September and on the final day last season in London, he was awful that day too.
He needs to quickly get his head back on things.
10 Posted 26/12/2018 at 09:11:28
So, I am hoping that the post match dressing room was a watershed moment for Everton. I like to think that Silva told them in no uncertain terms that any repeat is likely to seriously shorten their EFC playing careers. Hopefully Marcel Brands has had a similar conversation with Silva this week.
Losing today is unthinkable, we have to win - by any means, a 96th minute own goal to win will do.
Time to stand up and be counted blues.
11 Posted 26/12/2018 at 09:17:56
12 Posted 26/12/2018 at 09:18:01
But agree with Darren, we go again. As we always do.
13 Posted 26/12/2018 at 09:19:41
14 Posted 26/12/2018 at 09:20:02
I've lost track of what is at stake for each individual point gained but Everton must already be way behind budget and there will be no delay, I'm sure. Trouble is, our benefactor is such a bad judge of managerial talent that whoever comes rest may be no improvement !
15 Posted 26/12/2018 at 09:20:16
I heard match reports of Burnley at Arsenal, and they played okay. If lyndon's team forecast is correct then I struggle to see us getting more than a point.
If Gomes and Gueye are missing, the midfield will be under strength and unfortunately the likes of Walcott, Bernard and even (on last week's showing) Richarlison don't slot-in and help out enough.
I fear another defeat. I think we are on the slide.
My own solution would be to bring in Jagielka and Baines. The inclusion of these two experienced stalwarts will help to steady Pickford and give us a platform.
16 Posted 26/12/2018 at 09:20:22
Mina or Zouma? - It's Zouma for me if fit and I guess Pickford will remain between the jumpers. 'Rest' him against Lincoln.
This will be a tough game especially with our flagging confidence and while we should be winning, I'm predicting a draw today.
17 Posted 26/12/2018 at 09:21:36
organising the defence, he has also got to take responsibility for his growing number of mistakes, he just shrugs them off or blames someone else, ie, Zouma for Spurs first goal.
I think the game at Burnley will be a dour ninety minutes to watch, hope I'm wrong for the sake of those brilliant
supporters who follow the team everywhere, hail rain and snow, hope the Blues give them some sunshine today.
Just a quick word to George Mckane, hope you are reading this George and you are feeling better, you are missed on here and not just by me, I hope 2019 is a better year for you, very best wishes.
18 Posted 26/12/2018 at 09:37:13
A keeper could make four great saves in a game but if he makes one high profile costly blooper then that is the defining moment.
Every keeper will make the odd mistake but it's about cutting out the regularity of such costly errors.
Pickford is obviously strong on penalties but then again so was Richard Wright for example, but there is another guy that had a comedy caper just around the corner.
Neville Southall and Nigel Martyn's were so good for so long because of the command they had in that penalty area and they made telling decisions 99 percent of the time.
That's eventually were Jordan needs to be at.
19 Posted 26/12/2018 at 09:49:32
20 Posted 26/12/2018 at 09:53:25
Losing today and on Saturday will not be surprising given how poor we have looked in the past three weeks. If that happens it will not be a cause for panic but it will obviously put further pressure on a manager who has yet to demonstrate he can manage a team through a full Premier League season.
As regards team selection how many more mistakes will Pickford be permitted to make before he is dropped? A struggling team needs a safe pair of hands. He is far from that. Silva also needs to abandon, for the time being, a formation which leaves the central midfield and defence so exposed.
21 Posted 26/12/2018 at 09:56:55
22 Posted 26/12/2018 at 10:02:44
23 Posted 26/12/2018 at 10:06:39
24 Posted 26/12/2018 at 10:18:35
Davies was woeful against Spurs, if McCarthy isn't fit I'd rather Schneiderlin play as at least he came and looked for the ball on Sunday. Would also let Seamus have a breather to recollect his thoughts having been given the run around.
Pickford
Mina - Keane - Zouma
Kenny - Sigurdsson - McCarthy - Digne
Richarlison - DCL - Bernard
Stek, Jagielka, Baines, Schneiderlin, Lookman, Walcott, Tosun
25 Posted 26/12/2018 at 10:21:21
Slow lethargic play with questionable tactics.
Burnley will be well up for this.
Fingers crossed for a draw and continuing improvement from young DCL
26 Posted 26/12/2018 at 10:24:07
Richalison and DCL should lead the line in a 4-4-2.
Davies should start, he wasn't fantastic vs Spurs but the team as a whole was awful and Davies was short on game time so I think he'll fair much better today, and I'd play Siggy in there with him, Bernard left, Lookman or Walcott right.
Mina has to return at the back and if I'm honest I'd give Kenny his chance too, Coleman isn't finished but his forms dreadful.
27 Posted 26/12/2018 at 10:30:00
28 Posted 26/12/2018 at 10:37:12
No today may not be pretty but Silva has to be sharper tactically and change the formation as suits and that includes bodies as well.
Baines, Mina, McCarthy, Tosun should be in to tighten and shake things up a bit as well as making a statement of a managers discontent. Leaving it with the same line-up would be a total cop out and. A misplaced show of faith.
29 Posted 26/12/2018 at 10:38:39
30 Posted 26/12/2018 at 10:44:22
Coleman Mina Zouma Digne
Gueye Davies
Lookman Sigurdsson Richarlison
Calvert-Lewin
Stekelenburg, Keane, Baines, McCarthy, Bernard, Walcott, Tosun
31 Posted 26/12/2018 at 10:51:21
32 Posted 26/12/2018 at 10:53:16
So, Marco, if you're the real dea,l here is a fantastic opportunity to prove it. A win and it would suggest you can motivate and demand change from a team playing poorly and lacking confidence. A loss and we are left questioning your capacity more than ever.
33 Posted 26/12/2018 at 11:00:24
34 Posted 26/12/2018 at 11:10:16
Coleman Mina Zouma Digne
Lookman Gana Gomes Richarlison
Bernard
DCL
35 Posted 26/12/2018 at 11:16:21
36 Posted 26/12/2018 at 11:17:51
Their going to be a tough nut to crack and I can't raise much confidence about us getting more than a point out of this game.
Having said that, I hope I'm surprised come 5pm, because, although we were outclassed against Spurs, it was not a 2-6 game, the majority of their goals were put on a plate for the scorer.
37 Posted 26/12/2018 at 11:25:32
38 Posted 26/12/2018 at 11:27:29
At least Burnley will be expected to come out and have a proper go at us, which I think is our best bet. We have pace on the break and can hopefully exploit it.
39 Posted 26/12/2018 at 11:39:09
So how do we approach the game? Another suicidal high line against a team who'll be pumping long ball after long ball or sit deeper and counter attack with our pace up front? We're terrible defending balls over the top so I know what I'd do.
40 Posted 26/12/2018 at 12:12:29
Moving on to Pickford; keeper, England international, played for a Merseyside club, great shot stopper but prone to horrendous lapses of concentration. Supporters Nicknamed him calamity, his name is that's where I'm at with Pickford
41 Posted 26/12/2018 at 12:22:34
Whatever we do, don't play Mina the donkey – Zouma is twice the defender he is!
42 Posted 26/12/2018 at 12:36:24
I would play Holgate for Coleman – he has pace and will give us some much-needed physicality. Coleman needs a break.
Richarlison and Siggy also need a break, but this is not the game for it. Digne has not done much wrong, but maybe a good time to rest him and give Baines a go. I would continue with Keane and Zouma (haven't forgiven Mina yet for having a giggle post-match with Pochettino and Sanchez after that thrashing). If McCarthy is fit, he should play, but worried about husband lack of match fitness. Whatever happened to Beni? Is he still out injured?
Pickford
Holgate Keane Zouma Baines
McCarthy Davies
Lookman Siggy Richarlison
Calvert-Lewin
Subs: Stekelenburg, Mina, Scheniederlin, Niasse, Walcott, Bernard
43 Posted 26/12/2018 at 12:38:04
Coleman, Keane, Zouma/Mina, Digne.
Bernard, Gana, Sig, Lookman
DCL, Richarlison.
44 Posted 26/12/2018 at 12:58:51
45 Posted 26/12/2018 at 13:06:29
Its all about the midfield again, we cannot be overrun again. The midfield has to be more organised and robust. I am concerned without Gomes to glue it together, without Gana against Spurs we were lost. McCarthy should be played to add some tenacity and determination , positioning nouse and defensive protection.
Time to deploy the young guns attacking line up.
Lookman and DCL must start as they have looked our best attacking options to play with Richarlison. Use Walcott off the bench.
Pickford
Seamus Keane Mina Digne
Lookman Gana Mccarthy Sigurdsson Richarlison
DCL
please.
46 Posted 26/12/2018 at 13:21:59
Time again Everton are not deep enough to withstand more than 2/3 changes. The rhythm is broken. Nor is it time for radical formation change.
Stabilize, stay familiar and work through it. Whatever our travails, we are good enough to beat Burnley.
47 Posted 26/12/2018 at 13:28:34
He should have had a chat in the bowels of the stand.
48 Posted 26/12/2018 at 13:53:55
Until then keep both on the bench and use as needed.
Without Gomez I think we'll look a bit ordinary and it's time for a bit of a shake up.
If Lookman is fit, start him.
Tosun, I don't think can cut the mustard.
Richarlison should play out wide.
I think DCL deserves a few starts but there needs to be a focus on supply and protecting him. He needs someone with strength behind him. Maybe he would play better as part of a two up front.
49 Posted 26/12/2018 at 14:05:57
50 Posted 26/12/2018 at 14:06:48
51 Posted 26/12/2018 at 14:15:14
52 Posted 26/12/2018 at 14:24:42
Really do not like this side. I hate a back 5. It's not 3-4-3 it's 5-2-3.
Burnley will not be attacking us, that's not the way they play. I can't understand Silva's thinking here. Looks like a 0-0 bore draw.
53 Posted 27/12/2018 at 02:48:58
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1 Posted 26/12/2018 at 07:27:32
I was dreading to see the name of Schneiderlin there in the absence of our two main men.
As Lyndon has mentioned Burnley are not exactly playing that well this season, but we will still have to be at our best to get anything from this game, hopefully no hang-over from Xmas and the Spurs game.
COYB