Burnley host Brentford in the Premier League at the weekend and they will look to pick up a win and boost their survival hopes with a positive performance at home.
They are 19th in the league table and they have not won in the last six league outings.
On the other hand, Brentford are 15th in the league table and they are winless in their last five league matches. They cannot afford to keep dropping points. Thomas Frank’s men could easily be dragged into the relegation battle if they continue to falter.
Both teams are in similar form and they should be a cracking contest.
Brentford picked up a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Burnley the last time these two sides met in October and it remains to be seen whether they can complete a league double over the Clarets.
Team news and tactics
Burnley
Aaron Ramsey has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury, Nathan Redmond misses out with a thigh injury, Lyle Foster had surgery on a chronic issue and he is unlikely to return this season, Luca Koleosho has a knee injury.
Burnley are set to shape up in a 4-4-2 formation with James Trafford on goal.
Lorenz Assignon and Charlie Taylor will be deployed as the full backs. They will look to keep things compact at the back and help out in the attack. In central defence, Dara O’Shea will start alongside Maxime Esteve.
Sander Berge will start in the middle of the park alongside Josh Brownhill. The two players will look to protect the central defenders and break up opposition attacks.
Vitinho and Jacob Larsen will be deployed as the wingers here. They will look to add creativity and flair to the side from the wide areas. They will hope to create goal scoring opportunities for the likes of Wilson Odobert and David Fofana who will lead the line for the home team.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Trafford; Assignon, O’Shea, Esteve, Taylor; Vitinho, Berge, Brownhill, Larsen; Odobert, Fofana
Brentford
Josh Dasilva is ruled out for the season with a knee injury, Rico Henry misses out for a few months with the knee injury, Ben Mee is unlikely to return this season after suffering a serious ankle fracture, Aaron Hickey has a hamstring problem and he is expected to return in May, Kevin Schade will return in a similar time frame with a groin injury, Christian Norgaard has a back problem and he will miss out for a couple of weeks.
Bryan Mbeumo and Ethan Pinnock will return after the international break after sustaining an ankle injury.
Brentford will shape up in a 3-5-2 formation with Mark Flekken in goal. Zanka will start in the back three alongside Kristoffer Ajer and Nathan collins.
Mads Roerslev and Keane Lewis-Potter will be deployed as the wingbacks. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. In the middle of the park, Frank Onyeka will start alongside Mathias Jensen and Vitaly Janelt. They will look to keep things compact defensively and provide creativity and control in the middle of the park.
Ivan Toney will lead the line for Brentford along with Yoane Wissa.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Flekken; Collins, Ajer, Zanka; Roerslev, Onyeka, Jensen, Janelt, Lewis-Potter; Toney, Wissa
Key Stats
- Burnley have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 7 matches (Premier League).
- Brentford have conceded at least 2 goals in 10 of their last 12 matches (Premier League).
- Burnley and Brentford are winless in their last five league matches.
- Burnley have won four of their last six matches against Brentford.
- 17 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two sides.
Key Player
Ivan Toney
The 27-year-old has scored four goals in his last nine appearances for Brentford since returning from suspension and he is our key player to watch out for.
Brentford will look to him to create goal scoring opportunities and find the back of the net here.
Burnley have been quite vulnerable defensively and Toney will look to pile further misery on them and punish their defensive frailties.
Prediction
Burnley 1-2 Brentford
Both teams are in disappointing form right now and this is likely to be a close contest.
Neither side are defensive in their approach and they will look to outscore each other.
A high scoring game could be on the cards here but Brentford have more quality going forward and they might be able to edge this one.
A narrow 2-1 victory is on the cards for the away side.
