Burnley started their Premier League campaign with a goalless draw with Southampton, but their impressive performance in the Europa League qualifiers will have helped the morale of the team.
Burnley’s next game is against a Watford side who won their opening weekend fixture against Brighton.
Burnley – Team News
Burnley’s charismatic goalkeeper Nick Pope is out with a shoulder injury that he suffered before the season began. Midfielder Steven Defour has a calf strain and he is likely to sit out the tie against the Hornets as well.
Predicted Burnley Lineup
Defence
Joe Hart will start between the sticks having put in an impressive display against Southampton last weekend.
James Tarkowski and Ben Mee will start as the two centre-halves in what will be a four-man back line. The two complement each other well and are ideal for the low-block defensive setup that fans have become accustomed to seeing under Sean Dyche.
Matthew Lowton and Stephen Ward will assume the fullback duties in the playing XI. Lowton managed just two crosses during their game against Southampton, as his role isn’t really to get forward and provide deliveries. In fact, Tarkowski and Mee delivered a key pass each, thus displaying the regressive nature of Burnley’s fullbacks tend to be more cautious.
Midfield
Ashley Westwood and Jack Cork will be the two central midfielders in the four-man midfield formation. They provide drive and energy in the midfield, often carrying the ball ahead and making productive passes from promising positions.
Westwood and Cork delivered two and three key passes respectively against Southampton. Aaron Lennon and Johann Gudmundsson will feature as the two wingers.
Lennon’s pace and tenacity on the right wing are key for the team in terms of stretching play. His crossing can improve, but the injection of pace is something Burnley can make use of on the break.
Lennon and Gudmundsson managed a combined 13 crosses in the game against Southampton.
Attack
Jeff Hendrick and Chris Wood could line up as the two forwards against Watford. Hendrick is someone who tends to get a free role in the attacking half, even drifting wider to put a few crosses in as Wood is a strong presence in the box.
Wood is yet to open his account for the season but his game is more than just that as he can hold the ball well and bring the wingers into play.
