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PREVIEW: Burnley vs Newcastle United – 26/11/2018

Burnley vs Newcastle United

Date: 26/11/2018

K/O: 20:00

Venue: Turf Moor

TV: Sky Sports Premier League

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Beleaguered Burnley will play host to Newcastle United on Monday evening, with the home side winless in their last five Premier League fixtures.

If Burnley are able to change their recent fortunes and secure victory over the Magpies, they would move above Newcastle in the league table to 14th. After last season’s colossal defensive performances, this campaign has been a reality check for the Clarets. Burnley have conceded 25 goals so far this season, a stat which is made all the more damning when you consider that it took until the end of February for them to concede the same amount last term.

Another loss for Sean Dyche’s side would leave the Clarets in an increasingly precarious position. It is almost unthinkable that the Burnley manager could be sacked after what he has achieved but he must be feeling the pressure after a torrid start to the campaign.

If Newcastle were to pick up a third successive victory, they could move up one place to 13th in the table and, after an anxious start to the campaign, this would be considered progress. The only concern is that, despite their decent showings in recent weeks, Newcastle are still struggling to score goals. Rafa Benitez had coaxed just nine goals out of his squad so far. This is, admittedly, only two less than at this stage last season but that was also considered a poor return so Benitez hast to get more out of his attacking players.

A loss to a defensively shaky Burnley would be viewed as a failed opportunity to get much-needed points on the board for Newcastle especially considering each team’s form. After a miniature revival before the international break, a return to old habits would do the Magpies no favours in their quest for survival.

A draw after 90 minutes would result in both sides remaining deadlocked on 10 points, separated only by Newcastle’s superior goal difference. However, if results elsewhere don’t finish in either team’s favour, then it is possible that both teams could sit in the relegation zone before the next round of fixtures.

Team News

Burnley’s mounting injury concerns will once again hinder Dyche’s options. The hosts will be without Nick Pope, James Tarkowski, Ben Gibson and Steven Ward for Monday night’s fixture. In midfield, doubts remain over the fitness of Steven Defour and Joan Berg Gudmundsson, although it is entirely possible that both may still be selected.



Rafa Benitez may have to contend with the same issue as Jamaal Lascelles, Jonjo Shelvey and Yoshinori Muto were all absent in the victory over Bournemouth and it’s currently unknown if they will be fit enough to face Burnley. Additionally, Paul Dummett was hauled off during Wales’ clash with Denmark over the international break and will be subject to a late fitness test. Long-term absentee Florian Lejeune remains injured.

Predicted Starting XI’s:

Burnley (4-4-2): Hart; Lowton, Long, Mee, Taylor; Lennon, Hendrick, Cork, Brady; Vokes, Wood

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Dubravka; Yedlin, Schar, Fernandez, Dummet; Ki, Diame; Ritchie, Perez, Kenedy; Rondon

Score Prediction: Burnley 1 Newcastle United 1

The international break might have given Burnley a chance to regroup after a challenging series of results. On the other hand, the break may have come at the wrong time for a Newcastle side that was steadily gathering momentum. There shouldn’t be much between either team and sitting the right side of the relegation zone should entice a nervous encounter but expect little between the sets of players.

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