Derby date decided as Everton prepare for massive season run-in

Everton are once more facing a monumental last few months of the campaign as they have ten matches left to decide their fate and secure Premier League status yet again.

To do that I think the Blues may need to win four or possibly five of those remaining ten games together with a draw or two, especially because of the uncertainly of potentially more points deductions to come.

In a nightmare scenario the derby might turn out to be one they need something from. And that is not a happy prospect given the Toffees terrible record in recent years against their neighbours.

It is a daunting prospect altogether after the poor run of results we have seen recently, which have seen Everton go eleven matches without a win in the League.

The prolonged break in games over the last few weeks that the club used to take the players away on a mid-season training camp in Portugal, must we hope mean that a refreshed group will show renewed energy and determination when they return to action.

And most of all that the team's strikers and other potential goalscorers have rediscovered their shooting boots.

The first of these critical games is away to Bournemouth next Saturday where a point at least is required.

That is then followed by huge home matches against Burnley and Nottingham Forest - after tough trips to Newcastle and Chelsea - which have to be regarded as 'must-win'.

Looking at the remaining fixtures it is certainly possible, on paper at least, that the Blues have more than enough opportunity to gather the points to secure top flight status, even with another points deduction.

As well as those upcoming games against Burnley and Forest, Everton also have home fixtures with Brentford and Sheffield United (as well as the derby) and an away trip to Luton Town that will be the perennial six-pointer, probably for both sides.

But as we all know with this Toffees team, what looks feasible on paper rarely turns out to be true in cold hard reality.

And Everton's home record is appalling in this campaign with just three wins at the Grand Old Lady all season long.

That simply has to change now or it will be very hard to see how the Blues can defy the odds yet again and stay in the Premier League.