The Premier League kicks off a weekend of football with an exciting clash between relegation-threatened Burnley and fellow newly-promoted side Luton Town at Turf Moor on Friday evening.
Both teams will be looking to bounce back from disappointing exits in the FA Cup as they aim to secure crucial points in their battle for survival.
Match Preview:
Burnley’s recent form has been a mixed bag, with a valiant effort against Aston Villa followed by a commendable performance against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup.
Despite losing both matches, manager Vincent Kompany praised his team’s improvement and resilience. However, Burnley find themselves in 19th place, below the relegation line, with only Premier League duties left to focus on.
Burnley’s home record has been dismal this season, suffering back-to-back losses against Everton and Liverpool.
If they lose against Luton Town, they will match an unwanted record of losing 10 of their first 11 home games in a single season. The pressure is on for Burnley to turn their fortunes around and secure a much-needed victory.
On the other hand, Luton Town managed to keep their FA Cup hopes alive, despite a disappointing draw against Bolton Wanderers.
They dominated possession and had numerous attempts on goal but failed to break through Bolton’s solid defense.
Luton Town now faces a crucial Premier League clash against Burnley, where a win could lift them out of the relegation zone.
Luton Town’s recent form has shown promise, with back-to-back victories over Newcastle United and Sheffield United.
They came close to securing a point against Chelsea in a thrilling five-goal encounter. However, Luton Town still search for their first clean sheet away from home in the Premier League.
Historically, Burnley has had the upper hand against Luton Town, boasting a seven-game unbeaten streak.
However, Luton Town has managed to avoid defeat in their last seven visits to Turf Moor, dating back to 1995. The clash between these two newly-promoted sides promises to be an intriguing battle.
Team News:
Burnley faces injury concerns with Lyle Foster and Charlie Taylor. Foster’s ankle problem is not believed to be serious, while Taylor’s shoulder issue is described as chronic.
Should Taylor be unavailable, either Connor Roberts or Ameen Al-Dakhil will step in.
Luton Town, on the other hand, will be without right-back Issa Kabore, who is representing Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Captain Tom Lockyer continues his recovery from a cardiac arrest. Marvelous Nakamba, Reece Burke, and Dan Potts are also unlikely to feature due to injury.
However, there is hope that Carlton Morris will be available despite a calf concern.
Predicted Lineups:
Burnley: (4-4-2)
Trafford;
Vitinho, O’Shea, Beyer, Roberts;
Tresor, Berge, Brownhill, Odobert;
Amdouni, Rodriguez
Luton Town: (3-4-3)
Kaminski;
Osho, Mengi, Bell;
Doughty, Barkley, Lokonga, Giles;
Townsend, Adebayo, Brown
Prediction: Burnley 1-1 Luton Town
Considering the recent form of both teams, it is difficult to predict an outright winner. Premier League matches between newly-promoted sides have seen an average of 4.3 goals per game this season.
However, based on the teams’ recent FA Cup performances, we may not witness an attacking spectacle at Turf Moor.
While Burnley is expected to avoid another home loss, their goal-shy attack raises doubts about their ability to secure a convincing victory.
Luton Town, on the other hand, has shown determination and fight in recent Premier League fixtures and can certainly hope for a point in this crucial clash.
