Everton v Burnley preview: Romelu Lukaku set to return

Burnley will be in desperate need of three points when they travel to Goodison Park on Saturday, with Sean Dyche’s men stranded in the bottom three of the Premier League.

The Clarets have picked up just one win in their last 11 Premier League matches, but other sides’ poor form means they are just two points from safety.

Everton looked in danger of being dragged into the mire, but three wins in their last four has helped them climb to 12th.

Burnley have come through their tough run of fixtures and ninth-placed West Ham are, on paper, the most difficult test they will face in their remaining six games.

Team news

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku is set to return after a month out with a hamstring injury.

Leon Osman will be given as much time as possible to overcome a groin problem suffered against Swansea but fellow midfielder Steven Pienaar has suffered no reaction to his first appearance since December.

Left-sided utility man Bryan Oviedo (hamstring) and winger Aiden McGeady (back) have both returned to training this week.

Burnley defender Steven Reid (calf) and midfielder Ross Wallace (knee) are expected to be back in contention for the trip to Goodison Park.

Midfielder Matt Taylor could also feature if there is no reaction to his first appearance in seven months, as a last-minute substitute, against Arsenal last week after an Achilles injury.

Forward Marvin Sordell has overcome a minor knock and the Clarets are at full strength, aside from long-term knee injury victims Dean Marney and Kevin Long.

Stats

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Everton have won more points in their last four Premier League games (10) than they had in their previous 12 (7).

Burnley have failed to score in five of their last six league matches, netting once against Man City in the other.

Aaron Lennon has netted two goals in his last three PL games after failing to score in his 32 previous league appearances, a drought which went all the way back to the end of 2013.

Everton have made only three errors leading to a goal in their last 12 Premier League games after making 11 in the 20 matches before that.

Everton have conceded only two goals in their last five Premier League home games.

However, the Toffees have taken only two wins from their last seven at Goodison Park (D4 L1).

The Clarets have only ever won two of their 34 Premier League away games.

Ben Mee has been booked in four of his last five Premier League appearances for Burnley.

Merson’s prediction

Burnley have got a good run in which will give them hope of survival. When I watch Burnley they work really hard for Sean Dyche. They work their socks off for the cause every week but I don’t think that will be good enough to get all three points at Goodison Park.

If Danny Ings doesn’t fire for Burnley then you worry about where their goals will come from. Everton are a good side who shouldn’t be where they are in the league. They’ve turned around their form in recent weeks and will have too much for Burnley.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (12/1 with Sky Bet)

Betting

Everton are 7/10 with Sky Bet to prolong their return to form with a home win over Burnley, who are 15/4 for a precious three points towards their survival bid. The Clarets remain odds-on to be relegated at 8/13, while Everton’s sights are set on a top-half finish at 15/8.

A draw would do little to strengthen either side’s cause, but it’s priced up at 14/5. Sky Bet tipster Phil Thompson has backed Ross Barkley to score in a 1-0 win for Everton at 28/1.

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