Chris Sutton predicts result of ‘Huge’ Everton clash v Burnley
Chris Sutton has made his prediction ahead of the “huge” Premier League clash between Everton and Burnley this weekend.
The Toffees earned a 1-1 draw with Newcastle in midweek while Burnley claimed the same result against Wolves, with the two sides set to meet at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon (6 April).
And making his predictions for the game for BBC Sport (5 April), Sutton admitted that Sean Dyche is under “real pressure” to get a result after 13 games without a win and backed the home side to get it done.
“Tuesday’s draw with Newcastle goes down as a point gained for Everton but that doesn’t change the fact that Burnley were the last team they beat in the league, at Turf Moor on 16 December,” he wrote.
“Sean Dyche did a job on his old team in that game, but his side did not win any of the 13 league games that have followed and they are under real pressure to put that right here.
“The Goodison Park atmosphere has been so important to Everton in the past, but I can see the crowd getting really anxious if they fall a goal behind or things don’t go to plan.
“It’s a huge game for Burnley too, of course. Fair play to the Clarets, whose run of four games unbeaten has given them a chance of avoiding relegation, but if they are going to stay up then they really have to win this game.
“It’s Everton who I think will take the points though. I can’t back them going off recent form but they are a well-balanced side who usually create a few chances. This time, that might be enough. Everton 2-0 Burnley.”
Everton must-win v Burnley or face relegation
The last time Sean Dyche’s team got a win was against Burnley, and since then everything else has gone downhill.
Everton have seen six points taken off their total so far and a second deduction is also expected at some point after a second charge, which means relegation is a very real threat.
They currently sit four points above the relegation zone, and a defeat for Burnley would all but condemn them to Championship football again in the 2024/25 season.
But if Everton don’t get the win then they will be giving the teams around them huge opportunities to drag them deeper into the race for relegation, and with a huge winless run that cannot be a good thing.
This is a must-win game and the definition of a six-point game at the bottom of the table. The Toffees not only can’t afford to lose, but they simply must win.
In other Everton news, Jamie Carragher drops “grave mistake” verdict ahead of Merseyside derby.
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