We have just two games to go in the Premier League season, with the next round scheduled to take place this weekend. The first game comes on Friday night, when Everton host Burnley. Neither team has too much to play for, although a win here would secure another top 10 finish for Everton, so they do have that to aim for. Burnley can move up the table a little, although their main aim was simply to survive this season, and they have finished well clear.

These end of season games can often be tough to work out as a punter, and you have to be wary of changes to the starting eleven, and managers trying out different tactics and formations in games that mean very little. However, the home team tends to do that less frequently, as they want to put on a show in front of their home fans.

I fancy Everton to do exactly that, and they have something too play for. While there is the chance for them to finish higher, being in the top half of the Premier League table is the bare minimum requirement for a team like them. They have the chance to confirm that this week, and that’s exactly what I fancy them to do.

The Battle to be ‘Best of the Rest’

Outside of the top six in the Premier League, there is a fantastic race on to be best of the rest. Not only will this be on this season, but expect to see this in the future too. Can any of them break into the top six and really make their mark in the future? That may be tough, but the jostling for position is on, just in case one of the big guns slip up in the future.

Wolves are currently in 7th and leading the way, with Leicester behind them, then Everton and lastly Watford. These four will be hoping they can maintain their positions in the top 10, although the order may change between now and the end of the season. Just four points separate all four clubs at the moment, there is still plenty to play for.

The big surprise here has been Wolves, who are in the Premier League after promotion from the Championship last season. They worked hard and spent a lot of money, but even though they did that, I did not expect them to have the success they have done straight away. This summer is going to be interesting to see what they do, and to be honest they have put additional expectations on their own shoulders by doing so well. The tough test for them may be next year, when they have to live up to this season, and replicate it.

Leicester are previous Premier League winners and they have been a lot better this season since Brendan Rodgers took over as their manager. He knows the Premier League well, he likes success and he is a positive move for Leicester. With a summer under his belt and the chance to bring in a couple of players, Leicester are certainly a team to watch out for next season under Rodgers.

Both Wolves and Leicester have a lot going for them, and these are the kind of teams that Everton need to be able to compete with. Everton have a very talented squad, but they have to keep improving if they want to keep up with their rivals.

The fight to try and break into the top six is a big one, and one that is tough for Everton. However, just remaining in the top ten and keeping up with the other clubs who are trying to be ‘best of the rest’ is a tough task, there are some good teams around the top half of the table, and Everton are going to have to be good to keep up.

Everton vs Burnley Betting Tips

Not a game to get hugely involved in, which is the case for a few towards the end of the season. As far as big goals are concerned, neither team has anything to play for, Everton can’t break into the top six and Burnley are safe from relegation. However, Everton will be expected to finish in the top half this season, and they can confirm that with a win here and one game to spare. That will be their target, and that is exactly what I think they will do on Friday night.

If you take out the fact that this is a game at the end of the season, and just compare the two teams that are playing then there is no doubt in my mind that Everton are the stronger team. They have a very good squad, and match winners that Burnley simply don’t have. While Everton may not be the best defensively, they don’t have a top team to contend with here, they have to keep Burnley quiet, something they are more than capable of doing.

To add a little value here, I am going to back Everton on the handicap line. They are an open, attacking team who likes to get the ball forward. They will create opportunities and let’s hope they can put some of them away. Burnley are not a team that offer a huge amount going forward, and I am confident that Everton can keep them quiet.

My bet is on the -1 handicap line, where Everton are priced up at 2.60 and offer good value in the first game of the weekend.

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