“His achievements are impressive, Everton are on form but Burnley are starting to find their feet too, it’ll be some game” – Chris Sutton praises Sean Dyche as he drops prediction for Everton v Burnley
Chris Sutton has shared his predictions as Everton travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday evening (16 December).
On the hunt for a fourth successive Premier League victory, Everton travel to Lancashire to meet Vincent Kompany’s men, where Sean Dyche will be welcomed back for a Turf Moor homecoming.
Burnley currently sit second from bottom and five points away from the Toffees but come into Saturday’s clash off the back of an impressive 1-1 draw with Brighton last weekend.
And Sutton sharing his predictions for BBC Sport (14 December) believes Dyche’s men p}should continue their good form at Turf Moor.
Sutton said: “Unai Emery and Postgecoglou have made a huge impact as managers in the Premier League this season, but Sean Dyche is right up there with the job he is doing at Everton.
“Dyche has not done it in a different way, but his achievements are especially impressive when you consider what he has had to contend with – the stress levels and all the negativity around the club as well as their points deduction. He did well to keep them up last season too.
“Now he is going back to his old club with an Everton team that has an identity and is playing well. Jarrad Branthwaite’s suspension is a blow but I still think the Toffees will make it four wins in a row without him.
“Everton are on form but Burnley are starting to find their feet too, it’ll be some game.”
“Sutton’s prediction: 1-2.”
The way Everton are performing right now, one of the form teams in the Premier League in recent weeks, this game may not be too close to call as the table may suggest.
In fact, if not for the Toffees’ 10-point deduction, right now, Dyche’s men will be sitting pretty inside the top half of the table, a point behind West Ham United and five points from the European spots.
Everton are currently on a tremendous run of three successive victories but one of the reasons why they are in such form is because of their brilliant defensive work, with successive clean sheets also but Branthwaite will indeed be a big miss.
Whether it’s Ben Godfrey or Michael Keane to come on Saturday evening, both players have a huge job on their hands replacing the young Englishman and their lack of match action and practice could well be exploited by Kompany and his team.
Dyche has become a master tactician at Goodison Park this season but now has to cook up a plan to ensure his team are solid without Branthwaite’s presence. Another clean sheet here may well just be their most impressive in their four-game run but it’s certainly refreshing to say that Everton are huge favourites for this game.
