With just 34 points from 28 games, Sam Allardyce’s Everton have not done justice to their transfer activity but they have enough time remaining this season to turn things around. They will not find it easy to qualify for Europe but will look to end the campaign on a high, starting this weekend when they travel to Turf Moor.
Sean Dyche’s men have three more points than the Toffees at this point in the season and have been pretty hard to beat on their own turf. They have not won any of their last six games in the league but face Everton, who are fresh from a 1-0 defeat to Watford. Allardyce will believe that his side has what it takes to take a result from this tie and here is the predicted lineup he might field this weekend.
Team News:
The Toffees have a few first team players out injured for this weekend. Eliaquim Mangala, James McCarthy and Maarten Stekelenburg are all ruled out for this game along with Seamus Coleman and Phil Jagielka, both of who are not expected to recover in time. Ramiro Funes Mori and Leighton Baines could be available for selection but might only make the bench.
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
Defence:
Jordan Pickford may not be the best in the league at the moment but has been one of the most consistent players for Everton and should keep his place under the bar this weekend. With Seamus Coleman doubtful, Jonjoe Kenny, who has done well at right-back this season, is expected to start in that role.
Cuco Martina remains Allardyce’s best option at left-back and Big Sam is expected to pick him for this trip to Turf Moor. With Mangala and Jagielka not expected to be fit, Ashley Williams and Michael Keane could both start this weekend. Keane will be back at Turf Moor for the first time since his move to Merseyside in the summer.
Midfield:
Idrissa Gueye has been one of the most effective midfielders in the league this season and has been crucial to Everton’s system recently. He will start as the deepest of the midfielders with Tom Davies on one side and Wayne Rooney on the other.
Rooney has started in this midfield role to good effect recently and will look to have a similar impact against the Clarets.
Attack:
Theo Walcott will have a huge job to do in this game, stretching the Burnley defence and creating space for his side’s attack. He will start on the right wing with Gylfi Sigurdsson starting on the left flank. The Iceland international will also have to be at his best for Everton to take anything from this game.
Oumar Niasse has been a regular presence in attack for the Toffees. He should lead the attack for his side this weekend.
Here is how they might line up:
