Everton v Burnley predictions: Toffees can edge to three points

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Everton v Burnley in the Premier League on Monday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event, 8pm Monday

Best bet

Everton to win and under 3.5 goals
1pt 11-8 Boylesports

Team news

Everton
Richarlison is available. Yerry Mina, Tom Davies and Ben Godfrey are also back in contention. Seamus Coleman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are possible starters, while Fabian Delph and James Rodriguez will miss out.

Burnley
New signings Nathan Collins, Maxwel Cornet and Connor Roberts are all in contention to play, while Kevin Long and Dale Stephens miss out through injury.

Match preview

Manager Rafa Benitez had plenty of work to do to win over a sceptical Everton faithful, but he couldn’t have got off to a much better start.

The Toffees beat Southampton 3-1 in their season opener and have since taken four points from a tricky pair of away trips to Leeds and Brighton.

Despite limited funds due to financial fair play restrictions, Benitez has done a good job of bringing in players such as Demarai Gray, Andros Townsend and Salmon Rondon to suit his style of play. That pragmatic way of playing may not be the easiest on the eye at times but his defensive capabilities as a coach are renowned.

The Blues take on a Burnley side who have had a difficult start to their campaign. After a capitulation at home to Brighton and a defeat at the hands of Liverpool, Sean Dyche’s men managed a draw with Leeds.

However many of the Clarets’ problems from last season remain - they don’t create enough chances or score enough goals. Burnley found the net just 33 times last season, the lowest tally of any team who stayed up.

The summer additions of centre-half Nathan Collins, right-back Connor Roberts and left-back Maxwel Cornet don’t look likely to suddenly add a huge deal of creativity to the side, though Cornet can play as a winger. Aaron Lennon also rejoined on a free but is not the force of old at 34.

Dyche’s side are set up to be hard to beat as their lack of goal-scoring prowess puts extra pressure on their back four to keep things tight. Despite that, they have conceded the second-most shots on target of any side this season with 16.

Everton’s chances will be boosted by the inclusion of Richarlison, who is available to play after the Brazilian FA confirmed he would be exempt from the ban they have attempted to enact on other players from their national team due to him playing in the Olympics.

The Toffees should be too strong for Burnley, who lack the creativity and goal threat to hurt their back line.

However, given both managers prioritise defensive stability, this may not be a high scoring affair. The last five meetings of these two sides have produced just nine goals so an end-to-end thriller seems unlikely.

Key stat

The last five meetings of these two sides have produced just nine goals.

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport