Wolves v Liverpool, Leeds v Sunderland, and more: Premier League - live
“As an Everton fan, I’m usually writing in to highlight the positives that are sometimes overlooked,” says Matt Burtz. “This time around it’s to note that Everton are joint second on away points with 24, behind only Arsenal. Unfortunately that means they only have 16 points at home, which is 14th in that table. Their remaining home games are Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Sunderland, so a win tonight would be nice just so the home fans can see one.” It started positively enough at least, Matt.ShareAfter John’s mention of the playoffs, here’s an interesting bit of news: EFL clubs will reportedly vote on Thursday on whether to extend the Championship playoffs from four to six teams for next season. That would mean the teams finishing third to eighth would contest the playoffs, with the top two automatically promoted.Thoughts? It seems like trying to fix something that isn’t broken, to me at least. The teams currently 7th and 8th in the second tier are Southampton and Derby, while all the sides from Norwich (in 17th) upwards are within six points of the Rams.ShareWill UnwinPre-game thoughts from our man at Everton-Burnley …double quotation markIf ever there was a game that could get a team’s home form back on track, a visit from Burnley would be high on the list. The Clarets are heading back to the Championship, while Everton are hoping to get into Europe but have not won on home soil in the Premier League since 6 December. They really need a victory here to boost their ambitions to be playing continental football next season.double quotation markDwight McNeil shone in the victory at Newcastle and keeps his place in the starting lineup here against his former club. David Moyes was happy to sell him in January but the shambles at Crystal Palace meant he stayed at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. His endeavour and work rate have never been in question but rarely has he put a run of goals and assists together while in blue. It will be interesting to see if he can build on what he showed at St James’ Park.SharePreambleTonight, a trio of northern powerhouses are looking to secure a Big Three Points in fixtures they are odds-on to win. Leeds are aiming to scramble closer to safety with victory over Sunderland, who have won two of 14 on the road this season. Heading along the M62, Everton fans will see Burnley’s visit as the perfect chance for the team to improve their patchy form at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.In the later game, Liverpool head to Molineux, where victory is a must and offers the chance for Arne Slot’s side to go third. Of course, we can’t overlook the fact that rock-bottom Wolves have beaten Villa and drawn with Arsenal in their last two home games; nor should we ignore Burnley collecting four points from their last two away trips, or Sunderland picking up a point at the Vitality last time out.Speaking of which, if anyone would care to try and predict the outcome of Bournemouth (six wins, six draws at home) v Brentford (six wins, six defeats away from home), then be my guest. Team news to follow shortly.Share
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