Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 18/04/2015
Kick-off: 15:00 (BST)
Everton welcome Premier League strugglers Burnley to Goodison Park this weekend and the Toffees will surely want to continue their fine run of recent results with another victory during the day.
Everton’s three match winning run was brought to a halt following the 1-1 draw against Swansea City last week but it has to be said that the point at the end was a good result, against a very good side at home.
Due to their recent resurgence, Everton have managed to move into 12th place in the Premier League table and if Martinez’s men can grab a couple of good results from now till the end of the season, they can even stand a chance of breaking it to the top half of the table.
Up next for the Toffees is a clash against a struggling Burnley side but given the Clarets’ desperation at the moment, the match will be anything but a straightforward one for the home side.
Everton Team News
Everton have a couple of injury problems to contend with ahead of the clash as the likes of Darron Gibson, Tony Hibbert and Bryan Oviedo have all been ruled out due to various injuries while the trio of Romelu Lukaku, Aiden McGeady and Leon Osman are rated as doubts.
Heading into the game, the defence basically picks itself as the combination of Tim Howard, Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka and John Stones is by far the best backline Martinez can put out.
At the central of the park, the duo of James McCarthy and Gareth Barry look likely to retain their place while Aaron Lennon currently seems a certain starter on the left wing.
However with Leon Osman missing, there are a host of players competing for the right wing spot. Kevin Mirallas and Steven Pienaar are the natural choices for Martinez but even Ross Barkley or Steven Naismith could be used out wide.
In attack, Romelu Lukaku is expected to make a return back into the team while Arouna Kone should be allowed a chance to make an impression alongside the young Belgian.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Baines, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman; Barry, McCarthy, Pienaar, Lennon; Kone, Lukaku
Burnely (Probable XI): Heaton; Mee, Shackell, Duff, Trippier; Barnes, Arfield, Jones, Boyd; Ings, Vokes
Form
Everton: W L W W D
Burnley: L W L D L
Last Meeting
26/10/2014 Burnley 1 – 3 Everton
28/12/2009 Everton 2 – 0 Burnley
Prediction
Everton have managed two consecutive victories over Burnley in the Premier League and they should head into Saturday’s clash as slight favourites due to home advantage.
Following a torrid season, Everton have the opportunity to make amends with a good finish and a final position at the top table of the table will certainly make the fans optimistic of a campaign next year.
That said, the Everton players could be lacking a bit of motivation as they do not have much to play for in terms of honours and it will surely not be easy against a Burnley side which will fight tooth and nail in order to claim every point on offer from now till the end of the season.
The match looks set to be an interesting battle between the sides and the outcome of the game could well be a score draw – which will not necessarily be a bad result for either team.
Everton 1 – 1 Burnley
