How will Everton fare in their first match v Cypriot opposition?

This time last week we suggested Oumar Niasse might quickly gain cult status at Goodison Park and the irony is his two-second half goals against Bournemouth on Saturday may well have saved manager Ronald Koeman’s job.

It would be wrong to say the Dutchman was on the brink if they had failed to beat the Cherries but it would have made for an uncomfortable week for the Blues’ boss ahead of Thursday’s Europa League tie with Apollon Limassol on Thursday.

Note Koeman is second favourite to be the next PL manager to lose/leave his post behind West Ham’s Slaven Bilic who is 2/1 favourite.

Everton’s clash with Limassol will be the Blues’ first ever game against Cypriot opposition and the stats suggest it should be a routine win given Limassoll have lost 19 of 22 away games in European competition conceding 78 goals in those ties. That said Limassol got a point following a late equaliser at home to Lyon on Matchday One and will fancy their chances of getting a result at Goodison. Everton are 1/4 to make it three home wins in eight days and three points is essential if they want to progress in the competition.

Atalanta are to top the group with Lyon , Everton 3s and Limassol . We will find out on Thursday if Lyon’s draw in Cyprus was two points lost but you feel Everton must make Goodison a fortress if they are to qualify for the knock out stages.

The Blues entertain Burnley on Sunday back in the Premier League looking to put a dent in the Clarets impressive start on the road so far this season. A shock win at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the campaign was followed by draws at Wembley and Anfield so we know Sean Dyche’s team will be hard to break down.

Everton are [odds “7/10” “https://www.betvictor.com/”] to keep the points with Burnley – unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions – and the draw at . Whatever the result against the Cypriot outfit Koeman must decide whether he perseveres with both Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney for the Burnley test. The former has pulled up few trees since his club record move from Swansea and the suggestion is the pair are too similar – will Koeman play Niasse from the start alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin who continues to improve game by game. Indeed the England under 21 international might be the difference between the teams.