Burnley will hope to pick up a much-needed win on Sunday when they take on West Ham United in the Premier League at Turf Moor.
The Clarets find themselves in deep trouble following their 1-0 defeat last weekend to fellow relegation candidates Newcastle United. They lie 18th in the league table having won just once this season.
West Ham enjoyed an impressive 3-2 London derby victory over Chelsea at the London Stadium last weekend, ending their three-game winless run in the league. They are placed fourth in the standings and head to Turf Moor as favourites.
The Hammers were beaten 1-0 by Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday, and will look to put that defeat behind them come Sunday.
Burnley vs West Ham – Team News
Burnley
Burnley manager Sean Dyche is sweating over the fitness of Maxwel Cornet, who sustained a thigh strain in the second half against Newcastle United. The Ivory Coast international is likely to miss the upcoming game, joining the likes of Ashley Barnes and Dale Stephens on the sidelines.
Phil Bardsley is also doubtful but there is hope that Ben Mee will recover in time from a shoulder problem to face the Hammers.
Nick Pope’s form has been up and down this season. He will be raring to keep a clean sheet against West Ham on Sunday. Ahead of Pope, Matthew Lowton, James Tarkowski, Ben Mee and Charlie Taylor are expected to start in defence. The back four will have to be at their best to keep the skilful and pacey West Ham attackers at bay.
Ashley Westwood and Josh Brownhill are expected to start in the Clarets midfield. The duo will be in for a stellar test against West Ham’s Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek. Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Dwight McNeil have been regular for Dyche’s side this term and will retain their places on either flank.
With Maxwel Cornet sustaining a thigh injury in the last game, Matej Vydra is likely to come in for the Ivorian to partner Chris Wood up front.
West Ham
Kurt Zouma and Ben Johnson both sustained hamstring injuries and hobbled off in West Ham’s 3-2 win over Chelsea last weekend. They face a spell on the sidelines, joining the likes of Ryan Fredericks and Angelo Ogbonna.
David Moyes has been afforded some relief on the injury front with the return of Aaron Cresswell to training. He is expected to be fit to face Burnley.
Having already qualified to the Europa League Round of 32, the West Ham boss fielded a team mixed with youngsters and some fringe players in the 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the final group stages game on Thursday.
Moyes is set to recall the first-team players against Burnley starting from goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. A defensive injury crisis could see him revert to a flat back four at Turf Moor. Aaron Creswell is expected to come in at left-back, with Craig Dawson and Issa Diop retaining their centre-back spots. Vladimir Coufal will start at right-back.
Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek have worked together so well in the middle of the park for the Hammers in the last 15-18 months and Moyes is unlikely to break their solid partnership. Pablo Fornals started the game against Dinamo Zagreb but was taken off at half-time, so there are chances of him featuring in the West Ham United lineup against Burnley.
Jarrod Bowen was excellent against Chelsea last weekend, and his pace, movement and pressing could cause headaches to the Burnley backline. Said Benrahma is a tricky customer who makes West Ham tick in attack.
Michail Antonio has gone off the boil of late, failing to score a league goal in nearly two months now. But he will have a great chance of ending his goal drought against a shaky Burnley defence.
Burnley vs West Ham – Predicted Lineups
Burnley Predicted Lineup (4-4-2): Nick Pope; Matthew Lowton, James Tarkowski, Ben Mee, Charlie Taylor; Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Ashley Westwood, Josh Brownhill, Dwight McNeil; Chris Wood, Matej Vydra
West Ham United Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Lukasz Fabianski; Vladimir Coufal, Craig Dawson, Issa Diop, Aaron Cresswell; Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek; Jarrod Bowen, Pablo Fornals, Said Benrahma; Michail Antonio
Burnley vs West Ham – Key Players
Burnley—Chris Wood
With Cornet injured, the onus will be on Chris Wood against West Ham. The Kiwi hasn’t been in great goal-scoring form this season but if he gets proper service on Sunday, he could cause problems to the injury-depleted West Ham defence.
West Ham—Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen has emerged as a key player for the Hammers, making seven-goal contributions this season to date. After putting in a dazzling show against Chelsea, he will be West Ham’s man to watch on Sunday at Turf Moor.
Prediction: Burnley 1-3 West Ham