Arsenal travel to Turf Moor in yet another interesting test for Arsene Wenger’s side as the Gunners go up against Burnley on Sunday.
It has been quite a story for Burnley this season. Their away form has been a huge contrast to their woeful points tally on the road last season. And with just a single loss at home so far, Sean Dyche’s men look good for the money for the Sunday match.
Arsenal’s away form has been shambolic, with the Gunners managing just a single win so far from a total of 6 trips. Interestingly, the Clarets are level on points with the Gunners and Arsene Wenger’s men will have to be wary of the home side, despite their imperious head-to-head record.
Ahead of the Sunday fixture at Turf Moor, we take a closer look at the fixture.
Team News & Tactics
Burnley
Tom Heaton, Jonathan Walters and Dean Marney remain the only casualties for Sean Dyche. Nick Pope has been immense in Heaton’s absence and the 25-year-old is expected to continue to command the place between the posts on Sunday.
Chris Wood is in contention to start against Arsenal. But, there is added competition for the place upfront, with Ashley Barnes and Sam Vokes also vying for the same position. Burnley are one of the few teams that still use the 4-4-2 or the 4-4-1-1 formation, a vintage tactic in the Premier League.
And Sean Dyche is unlikely to pull out any tactical surprises as far as the formation is concerned. Another thing in favour of Burnley is their insistence on taking the game to the opposition, irrespective of the quality of the team on the other end. The same is expected to be instructed to the players for the Sunday fixture.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Gudmundsson, Defour, Cork, Brady; Barnes, Vokes
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger could just name the entire starting lineup that won 2-0 against Tottenham, with all 11 of them rested during the midweek. Santi Cazorla is still a fair distance away from full fitness while the Sunday match will come a tad bit too soon for Theo Walcott.
The trio of Alexandre Lacazette, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have been on song whenever played together and with the manager finally starting to pick them as a trio in attack, we could see the same continue against Burnley.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Cech; Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Bellerin, Ramsey, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Ozil, Sanchez; Lacazette
Betting Odds
Favourable Bets
1. Burnley Asian Handicap +1.0 @1.940
2. Both Teams to Score – YES @1.80
3. Over 10.5 Cards @2.10
Underdog Bets
1. Nacho Monreal to be booked during the match @6.50
Key Stats
1. Arsenal have won all of their last six matchups against Burnley.
2. There have been only seven goals in the six matches played at Turf Moor so far in the Premier League this season, the lowest tally seen at a Stadium.
3. Burnley have earned 10 points from their last five games – one point more than Arsenal.
Player to Watch
Nick Pope
The 25-year-old was thrust into the thick of things due to an injury to Tom Heaton. With big shoes to fill, the custodian has done a commendable job so far and will be one of the key men on Sunday, if the Clarets are to shock Arsenal at Turf Moor.
Prediction
Burnley 1-1 Arsenal
We feel Arsenal’s well-rested starting lineup will put in a great effort at Turf Moor and Burnley are unlikely to lodge a win on Sunday. However, Sean Dyche would hope to break the duck against Arsenal, especially with the current form guide backing the home side.
We expect both the teams to get on the scoresheet and the goals to cancel each other out. Do not be surprised if Arsenal eke out a win though, which would be commendable, if the Gunners do manage to return from Turf Moor with anything more than a point.
