Everton dropped into the relegation zone at the weekend after losing 2-0 to Aston Villa at Goodison Park, representing Sean Dyche's first home defeat as Toffees boss.
Overall, Dyche has now overseen two victories and two defeats since taking over the reins from Frank Lampard.
With Everton one point adrift of safety, they are now preparing for a tricky run of fixtures where they will play five teams in the top half of the table in the next six games.
Here, Sports Mole assesses Everton's difficult fixture list as they attempt to escape the Premier League drop zone.
Arsenal (Away) - March 1
Everton will be aiming to complete a league double over the Gunners after beating Mikel Arteta's side at Goodison Park earlier this month.
In Dyche's first game in charge, a James Tarkowski header guided Everton to a narrow 1-0 victory over the Premier League leaders.
While the Toffees would have taken confidence from that result, without the backing of a packed Goodison Park, Wednesday's meeting presents a much stiffer test.
Everton have won only one away game in the Premier League this season, but since beating Southampton 2-1 at St Mary's in October, the Toffees have picked up just two points from their last seven away trips.
One win from 26 away Premier League meetings with the Gunners also suggests that Everton will have their work cut out to claim all three points.
Nottingham Forest (Away) - March 5
Nottingham Forest are the only side currently in the bottom half of the Premier League table that Everton will face in their next six games.
While the Reds held reigning Premier League champions Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in their most recent home match, they will be reeling from Saturday's dismal defeat to West Ham United when they face Everton on Sunday.
The Hammers thrashed Forest 4-0 at the London Stadium, with all four goals arriving in the final 20 minutes.
As a result of the heavy defeat, Steve Cooper's side are now winless in three games and they will head into the weekend in 15th place - four points above the Toffees.
Demarai Gray's 88th-minute equaliser salvaged a point for Everton in the reverse fixture in August, but picking up a point this time around would represent an underwhelming result.
Brentford (Home) - March 11
Everton will only play two home games across their next six matches, and their next outing at Goodison Park will take place against a Brentford side who are enjoying a successful campaign.
The Bees have been beaten on just four occasions in the Premier League this season - only Arsenal and Newcastle United have lost fewer games in the top flight.
Thomas Frank's side are currently unbeaten in 11 league matches, and they are in the hunt to qualify for European competition.
The Bees, who currently reside in ninth place, claimed a 3-2 victory on their last visit to Goodison Park in May last year.
However, Everton may be able to draw inspiration from the fact that Brentford have won just two of their 11 away league games this season.
Chelsea (Away) - March 18
There is great uncertainty surrounding Chelsea at the moment, with Graham Potter's position as manager coming under scrutiny.
Chelsea have won just one of their last 11 games in all competitions, and there is a possibility that if results do not improve in the near future then Potter may not be in charge when Everton make the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Potter was not in the dugout when the two sides met on the opening day of the season as Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea side claimed a narrow 1-0 victory at Goodison Park.
While Chelsea may be struggling to pick up victories, they tend to fare well in their home meetings with Everton.
The Toffees have not won an away league game against Chelsea since claiming a narrow 1-0 victory in November 1994 thanks to a first-half effort from Paul Rideout.
Tottenham Hotspur (Home) - April 3
Everton will begin the month of April with a home meeting against a Tottenham Hotspur side who are aiming to qualify for next season's Champions League.
After claiming consecutive 2-0 victories over West Ham United and Chelsea, fourth-placed Spurs are four points clear of Newcastle United, who occupy fifth position and have played two games fewer.
Everton's last two games against Spurs have both taken place away from home, resulting in a 5-0 defeat in March last year, while they lost October's meeting by a 2-0 scoreline.
The Toffees have not fared much better at Goodison Park, failing to beat Tottenham in their previous nine top-flight matches.
As a result, Everton will be aiming to claim their first home league win over Spurs since December 2012 when they play host to Antonio Conte's side next month.
Manchester United (Away) - April 8
Everton's task will not get any easier when they make the unenviable trip to Old Trafford to face a Man United team that are going from strength to strength under Erik ten Hag's watch.
The Red Devils, who lifted the EFL Cup trophy on Sunday, are currently sitting in third place in the Premier League table with eight points separating them from league leaders Arsenal.
While mounting a serious title challenge may prove to be a bridge too far, Man United will be confident that they can claim all three points against Everton, having already beaten the Toffees in the league and FA Cup this season.
The 20-time English champions are also unbeaten in 11 Premier League home games, highlighting the almighty task that lies in front of Dyche's side.
A surprise Everton victory would represent their first win at Old Trafford since beating Man United 1-0 in December 2013.
body check tags ::
