BURNLEY’S next five fixtures could define their season, believes Turf boss Sean Dyche.

The Clarets host Everton on Boxing Day in the Premier League relegation zone having played three of the leading five teams in their pas four games.

Dyche’s men are two points from safety and the Clarets chief knows a victory over the Toffees could be a springboard to climbing the table with Burnley hosting West Ham and Fulham and visiting Huddersfield and Watford before January is out.

That quintet of games represents a chance to pick up vital points and Dyche wants to ensure it doesn’t pass his team by.

““I think the five games coming up are big, three of the last four have been against the big guns and we know that’s tough – you can play well and still get beat,” he said.

“Everton are probably still sneaking around the back of that, but the next five are games where we have to start taking points.

“Performances have been pretty strong, but we have to take points from the coming games, without a doubt.”

Everton are in the bottom half of the table and were beaten 6-2 at home by Spurs last time out but Dyche is wary of the threat posed by the Merseysiders – who Burnley beat twice last season.

“I don’t think you can go off previous occasions,” Dyche added. “They’re still a good side, still have their moments of being up and down, but generally have been delivering.

“They look organised, they look ready for the games, and it makes it a tough task.

“They are arguably the ones who have been pushing behind the big six. There are teams this year having a nibble at it but, year on year, Everton are spoken about. They’ve spent a lot, trying to push to get into the six and I think they are the closest ones.

“They have the financial power and can continue to add season after season.”