Everton v Burnley

Come 5 o’clock on Saturday the Sky league table might just be showing the top four.

Which means Everton, if even just temporarily, are fifth.

We’ve been to this point before but the blues couldn’t drag themselves over that line.

This weekends opponents Burnley look safe and Everton currently seem unassailable at home so could it be that straight forward?

Everton, with seven league wins from seven outings at the Grand Old Lady in 2017, banging in 26 goals in the process, are on fire.

But remember Burnley already have three points banked from their encounter with the blues in a late 2-1 win in October.

Ashley Williams will likely return to the side from suspension to shore up the blues’ defence but eyes will be on the visitors’ Michael Keane, an alleged £20m plus Goodison target.
It’s a big audition for England new boy Keane in front of Ronald Koeman, let’s hope he fluffs his lines on this one.

Ones to watch.

England internationals Tom Heaton and that man already mentioned, Michael Keane, have rightly received massive plaudits this season for their form at the back for Sean Dyche’s men.

Robbie Brady, recruited from Norwich in the January window, off the left hand side is another one the Blues will have to keep an eye on if selected.
Seriously strong at whipping a ball in with that left foot of his.

Whichever duo are picked for the Everton centre half spots, whether that includes a fresh Williams, a resurgent Phil Jagielka or Matty Pennington, will have to contend with the pace of Burnley frontman, Andre Gray.

It’s not panic stations for Burnley, a solid eight points above the dreaded relegation zone.

It looks like they’ll be playing Premier League football again next season.

But still four points adrift of that magical 40 mark, Dyche, and that lovely voice of his, won’t want to take any chances so every point is vital until they get there.

A potential banana skin – keep in mind Burnley are well overdue an away win, having gone the entire 2016/17 Premier League campaign without tasting victory away from Turf Moor thus far – but the run we are on at Goodison, it doesn’t feel like anyone could beat us.

Let’s just hope come 5pm that Europa League place is all but sealed and Sky Sports’ top of the table graphic is cut even shorter…