Burnley manager Sean Dyche has expressed a sense of empathy towards Everton after a recent decline to their form, but was keen to express that he sees the Saturday lunchtime clash between the Toffees and Clarets as a prime opportunity for his team to pick up points.
Burnley, who enter the game in the Premier League relegation zone, will look to test Ancelotti’s side, who lost 1-0 to Leeds last week for their fourth defeat in five league games, having won each of their first four (as per Sky Sports).
Dyche was complimentary of Ancelotti but expressed almost a sense of satisfaction that no ‘bigger’ team is truly invulnerable. The Burnley boss had plenty to say as he spoke on Thursday:
They have an incredibly experienced manager and a strong group of players.
I think it shows the strength of the Premier League. In a strange way it is pleasing to see that bigger clubs and top managers have those tough spells and that it can happen to anyone
We have to take on the mentality on from the [Crystal] Palace game and make sure we look after ourselves.
Read Everton Verdict
Dyche’s side are undeniably hungry for points and seemingly smell blood in an Everton side experiencing a poor run of form.
However, Ancelotti’s side will have the painful memories of the Leeds defeat seared into their minds. The Toffees will be no pushovers; Burnley’s league position is indicative of a side not showing any form themselves and this game will undoubtedly have been earmarked as an opportunity to return to winning ways.
Everton, who still sit comfortably in the top half of the table, will want to ensure that their strong start to the season was no flash in the pan.
