After Sean Dyche oversaw a 1-0 victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal on debut, many expected Everton would have few problems in their fight against relegation.

However, a tricky fixture list combined with what can only be described as general incompetence on the pitch means the Toffees‘ position in the table remains precarious as they prepare for their final five games of a torrid 2022/23 season.

Dyche’s team were thumped 4-1 by Newcastle at Goodison Park in their 33rd league outing, dominating the first half but failing to take their chances – a narrow offside call also denied Dominic Calvert-Lewin a goal – and then suffering an inexcusable collapse.

Everton have shown time and time again this term that they’re not too big a club to succumb to the drop, having only just survived last season. They’re in real trouble, and Dyche has his work cut out if he’s to keep the Merseyside club in the top flight.

Here’s what their schedule looks like to conclude the 2022/23 Premier League season.

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A relegation six-pointer between these two sides in May wouldn’t have been foreshadowed by many in pre-season.

Both Leicester and Everton have endured wretched campaigns, but there’s a real chance the two sides could end up in the second tier together next season.

The Foxes secured a big win over Wolves last weekend before drawing at Elland Road on Tuesday. Victory for either side here would be ginormous.

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On paper, this appears a tough fixture for Dyche’s side, but the former Burnley boss might fancy his chances of causing an upset on the south coast.

Brighton have dazzled this term and absolutely everybody would love to see them secure their first ever European berth. However, their home form has been surprisingly mediocre. They’ve won half of their games at the Amex Stadium, with their home record currently only 11th best in the division.

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Treble-chasing Manchester City visit Goodison Park on 14 May as they seek to fight off Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

This trip to Merseyside arrives in between their two legs against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals, so Everton could take advantage of the visitors‘ eye potentially wandering.

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Dyche’s side will scrap away for points here and there before their final two games of the season, which are must-wins.

Their penultimate fixture of the campaign is at Molineux against a Wolves team that have recently taken great strides in retaining their Premier League status. They should be safe by the time this fixture rolls around, while everything will likely be on the line for the visitors.

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This is bound to be a torturous day for Everton supporters, but a thrilling one for the neutrals.

Bournemouth’s trip to Goodison Park on the final day of the season could involve both sides fighting for their lives, although the former have pulled a little clear with three wins in their last four games.

But while the Cherries currently have a pretty healthy buffer over Everton in 19th, you just feel that Gary O’Neil’s side could still be dragged back into the dogfight.

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