Since this article was published, this game has been called off due to a coronavirus outbreak. A new date for the game will be confirmed in due course.

Two sides desperate for a Christmas gift of three points meet on Boxing Day when Burnley welcome Everton to Turf Moor as the Premier League season reaches its halfway point.

The hosts remain in the relegation zone, despite a number of draws recently, but have games in hand on those above them, whilst the visitors' disappointing, injury-ravaged season sees them sat 14th in the table as things stand.

Match preview

Burnley's last two matches - against Watford and Aston Villa - were both cancelled due to COVID-19 outbreaks within their opponents' squads, so there may be some rustiness to shake off as they return to action for the first time since December 12.

Before their enforced break, the Clarets had drawn four of their last five games. While avoiding defeat is important in a relegation battle, a lack of victories can be equally damaging and they have managed just one in their last 11 games.

Their single loss in the last five was also, crucially, against fellow strugglers Newcastle United, allowing the Toon Army to claim their first win of the season and move temporarily level on points with Burnley and Norwich City.

A 0-0 draw with high-flying West Ham United in their sole game since moved Sean Dyche's men one point clear of the bottom two, but they must make the most of their games in hand - whenever they are actually able to take place - if they are to make a break for safety.

It transpires that they very nearly ended up with yet another game in hand, or rather would have done had Everton and Rafael Benitez got their way.

The Spaniard confirmed to the press on Thursday that club officials had failed with their request to have the Boxing Day game postponed.

A COVID-19 outbreak within the Toffees camp has left five players in isolation and, combined with the six others who are currently out injured, that has left them with just nine fit outfield players according to Benitez, who expressed his disbelief that the game was to go ahead.

Everton's most recent game with Leicester City was called off for an outbreak within the Foxes' squad, which prevented them from building on a strong result against Chelsea three days earlier.

Coming into the game on the back of a run of seven defeats in their previous nine games meant expectations against one of the breakaway top-three teams were low, but a stubborn defensive performance and a Jarrad Branthwaite equaliser in the 74th minute saw Benitez's side earn a well-deserved point.

It was a first point away from home since the start of October and just their sixth this season from nine games. His side's away form is not the only problem for the former Liverpool boss to solve, but is probably one of the most pressing if he is to restore Everton to a position near the European spots which their impressive start promised and their fans demand.

Team News

Burnley's summer signing and leading goalscorer Maxwel Cornet has returned to training this week and is aiming to return to the starting XI on Sunday, but is not 100% certain to do so.

Connor Roberts continues to miss out from a nasty infection, while Ashley Barnes is making steady progress on his return from a muscle injury but will likely be out for at least another week.

Dale Stephens is even nearer to a return, but the midfield four is set to remain as Dwight McNeil, Josh Brownhill, Ashley Westwood and Johann Gudmundsson.

The injured element of Everton's crisis consists of Richarlison (calf), Tom Davies (knee), Andros Townsend (foot), Lucas Digne (illness), Yerry Mina (calf) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (thigh).

Calvert-Lewin has revealed he is aiming to make his long-awaited comeback against Burnley, however, having been out since the start of September, and Digne may also now be ready to return.

The five players due to miss out through COVID-19 remain a mystery for now.

Burnley possible starting lineup:
Pope; Lowton, Mee, Tarkowski, Taylor; Gudmundsson, Westwood, Brownhill, McNeil; Wood, Cornet

Everton possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Coleman, Holgate, Keane, Branthwaite, Godfrey; Gordon, Doucoure, Allan, Digne; Calvert-Lewin

We say: Burnley 1-1 Everton

This is a tough fixture to call - even before factoring in the significant unknown of Everton's potentially missing players - considering the hosts' inability to claim three points and the Toffees' lacklustre form on the road. We are backing the two to cancel each other out and produce a score draw.

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