Moyes tempers expectations of January incomings at Everton

David Moyes has tempered expectations forEverton supporters ahead of the January transfer window, insisting there will be no "quick fixes" under the Friedkin Group.

Everton made just six permanent signings ahead of the 2025-26 season, headlined by Tyler Dibling’s reported £40m switch from Southampton and a move for Thierno Barry.

Jack Grealishjoined on a season-long loanwhile Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall completed a transfer from Chelsea, but the squad is thin on the ground heading into the festive period.

That is because both Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye have joined up with their respective countries for the Africa Cup of Nations, while the likes of Dewsbury-Hall andJarrad Branthwaite are both absent with injuries.

When asked about potential January incomings ahead of this weekend’s trip to face Burnley at Turf Moor, Moyes said:"I think in all the press conferences I’ve been in, I’ve always said I don’t think we’ll be doing loads of business in January.

"If we find some players, we’ll be delighted to do it and the CEO will be as well, and the owners, if we can do it.

"But I think it’s more to do with trying to have a plan where the ownership want us to have a plan and want us to prepare and do everything in a certain fashion.

"So, I don’t think it will be coming up with a load of quick fixes. That’s the way it’s moving and some of the differences are taking place at Everton at the moment."

Burnleyleft it late to snatch a point away to Bournemouth last weekend, withArmando Broja’s 90th-minute leveller cancelling outAntoine Semenyo’s opening goal.

And while that result halted a run of seven straight Premier League defeats, the Clarets will be in the bottom three at Christmas, along with Wolves and West Ham.

The Opta supercomputer hands Burnley just a 10.6% chance of survival in its season simulations, something boss Scott Parker acknowledged will be tough to achieve.

"We’re aware of the situation we’re in," Parker said.

"As always, we need to focus on ourselves – we need to keep nudging away, keep improving as a team, keep picking up points.

"We will fight with character,honest work, discipline, and togetherness.

"This group isn’t distracted by noise or hype. They prepare properly, they stick to the process, and they’re learning what this level demands."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Burnley – Armando Broja

After struggling since his move from Chelsea, Broja ended a run of 39 consecutive top-flight appearances without scoring with his equaliser against Bournemouth.

However, only once in 87 English top-flight outings has he scored in back-to-back games, for Southampton in October 2021 (againstLeeds United and Burnley).

Everton – Jack Grealish

Everton struggled to create many clear-cut chances in their defeat to Arsenal, but they will be hoping to find more freedom at Turf Moor, with Grealish key to their attack.

The England international has posted a team-high totalfor chances created (30), while his six Premier League goal contributions are the joint-most in the squad, alongside the injured Dewsbury-Hall and Ndiaye, who is at the Africa Cup of Nations.

MATCH PREDICTION: EVERTON WIN

Everton have won their last three games against Burnley in all competitions by scorelines of 3-0, 2-0 and 1-0. In the 21st century, the only team they’ve won more consecutively against while keeping a clean sheet each time is Newcastle United (fivebetween 2015 and 2018).

They alsowon 2-0 in their last away league game against Burnley in December 2023 but have notwon consecutive visits to Turf Moor since March 1970.

And the Toffees often come unstuck during the festive period.Everton have notwon any of their last six Premier League matches between Christmas and New Year (D2 L4) since a 1-0 win over Sheffield United on Boxing Day in 2020.

But they will be confident with Moyes at the helm. He has notlost any of his last six Premier League matches against Burnley (W3 D3), all as West Ham’s manager.

His last game against the Clarets as the Toffees’ manager was in December 2009, winning 2-0 thanks to goals from James Vaughan and Steven Pienaar.

And despite the Opta supercomputer siding with Moyes’ men this weekend, againstno side have Burnley won more Premier League games than they have against Everton (seven), though they did lose both meetings with the Toffees when they last faced them in 2023-24.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Burnley – 30.2%

Draw – 24.9%

Everton – 44.9%