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View: Burnley Super Fan delivers lowdown on clash v Everton
This is part of a regular series from our panel of Super Fans on upcoming Everton games. We’re delighted to welcome Dan Benn as our exclusive Burnley expert. Dan is a sports journalist and a massive Burnley supporter.
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Everton will be looking to bounce back from defeat to Chelsea when they face Burnley at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The Toffees saw their three-game winning run come to an end when they travelled to Stamford Bridge on Monday, falling foul to a 2-0 home victory for Thomas Tuchel’s men.
Burnley meanwhile are winless in the Premier League in five, however their previous two league fixtures saw them draw with Arsenal and Leicester.
We asked Burnley Super Fan Dan Benn for his thoughts on the game, the latest team news and what he thinks will happen at Goodison Park on Saturday.
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Though you’re winless in five in the Premier League, have you been pleased with your side’s performances in recent weeks, having drawn with Leicester and Arsenal?
I think the performances can be looked at in very different ways. We deserved to win the Leicester game by a fair margin but a moment of brilliance from Youri Tielemans and Kelechi Iheanacho pegged us back, and Kasper Schmeichel had an unreal game so we struggled to actually find the net. Similar to the Arsenal game, we proved that the system works and we can go out and give teams at the top of the table a good game.
Generally the mood seems quite good among Burnley fans as the performances have been pleasing, we just need to find that finishing touch that the strikers have been missing all season and we can string together some good results. Winless in five sounds poor but the only side to beat us in the league since City on Feb 6 was Spurs who are very good going forward.
Who’ve been the standout players for you this season?
It’s hard to choose a standout player this season as we are having a poor campaign. Injuries haven’t helped but we have struggled at times, especially the strikers.
For me, it is between Nick Pope, simply for his ability in goal or Ben Mee for his impact after his return from injury, which has been incredible. Mee is a proper captain and without him and Pope we would be in a lot of trouble. An honourable mention goes to Matt Lowton for his form since coming back into the side.
How do you think you’ll look to exploit Everton this weekend?
Exploiting Everton will be difficult and, while I may not necessarily see anything obvious, that’s what Sean Dyche’s job is. For me, I’d look to capitalise on Yerry Mina being out and our ability from set-pieces. If James Rodriguez is out for Everton then that is some real attacking quality missing so if we can hold tight at the back and look to capitalise on corners and free-kicks then we may get something.
Who are Burnley’s main threats that Everton should be wary of?
Burnley’s main threats at the minute are probably Chris Wood and Matej Vydra. Wood has made two appearances since his return from injury and his link-up with Vydra up top has looked impressive so far. Charlie Taylor is a good defender but his relationship with Dwight McNeil (who has blown hot and cold this season) is key to getting the ball up to the strikers, especially against sides that outnumber us in midfield.
Who do Burnley fans see as the main threats from Everton?
The clear and obvious threat from Everton is Richarlison. His ability is top-level but sometimes he doesn’t look to take every chance he gets, which might come later with experience, but for me certainly, he’s the main threat. He could cause trouble if he drags Lowton or James Tarkowski out of position, allowing Lucas Digne to get further forward on the left. Digne is up there as a threat too, his delivery is quality.
What’s your score prediction for the game and why?
My score prediction is 2-2. I hate predicting scores as I always feel like I’ll jinx it but it’s part of the job. If we start how we started the second half v Arsenal then we can be a threat going forward and our centre backs are always going to be tough to play against. The threat of Richarlison and Digne as well as Dominic Calvert-Lewin could cause trouble, however. I predict a draw, much like the reverse fixture.
What do Burnley fans make of Everton this season?
Everton are clearly having a very good season. They look like they’ve woken up and realised that Leicester are going for their ‘best of the rest’ place and they don’t like it. Great form at the start of the season had dipped off but they are still a force to be reckoned with, especially at full strength.
Carlo Ancelotti is a world-class manager and he could turn them into a really dangerous side with a couple more adjustments. Ben Godfrey has been a revelation somewhat. It was clear he was a good player after watching him at Norwich and England u21 but his versatility has been brilliant. Surprising turn of pace too.
With Everton still in the hunt for European qualification this season, Burnley represent the type of opponent that the club simply has to beat.
The Clarets are difficult to break down because they defend resolutely, but there are chinks in their armour that can be exploited.
With West Ham having also climbed above Everton in the table now, the Toffees can’t afford a slip up, so they’ll need to be at the races from the off on Saturday.
In other Everton news, Alex Iwobi could be on thin ice at Everton after airing his frustrations on Instagram.