After a rather easy outing against Stoke City last weekend, Manchester United face a tricky trip to Turf Moor, a stadium not many teams in the competition have been successful at. Sean Dyche’s Burnley have been the surprise package of the current campaign, as they stand7th in the points table, 23 games into the season.
The Clarets have not been too gung-ho in their approach but their discipline at the back has made them a tough nut to crack and the Red Devils need to be at their best to take anything from this game.
The reverse fixture, at Old Trafford, ended in a 2-2 draw but Jose Mourinho’s side have picked up seven points in the three league games since that fixture. With just three points separating them from Chelsea and Liverpool, United cannot afford to drop any points in this game but will not find it easy at Turf Moor.
Burnley themselves could lose their 7th place in the points table, to Leicester City, who are just three points away, if they are not able to hold United or beat them this weekend, making this game an important one for both teams and the shape of the points table. United’s previous trip to Turf Moor ended in a 2-0 victory and they will hope for something similar this time around as well.
This game is one of the few attractions in English top tier this weekend and here is the preview, team news, predicted lineups, predictions and odds for this clash.
Team news
Burnley
The Clarets are still without the services of long-term absentees Tom Heaton and Robby Brady. They will also be without the likes of Tom Heaton, Stephen Ward and Chris Wood, who could be back in the next few weeks. Scott Arfield, however, is back in training and could make the bench in this game.
Expected lineup (4-4-1-1): Pope; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Gudmundsson, Cork, Defour, Barnes; Hendrick; Vokes
Manchester United
Jose Mourinho does not have any new injury issues to worry about ahead of this game. He is, however, still without the likes of Eric Bailly, Daley Blind, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Michael Carrick, all of whom are long-term absentees. Ashley Young is finally back in action and could start this game.
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Young; Matic, Pogba; Mata, Lingard, Martial; Lukaku
Odds
Burnley: 6/1
Draw: 29/10
Manchester United: 3/5
Prediction
Burnley 1-1 Manchester United