Burnley did a huge favour to themselves and a number of top teams in the Premier League as they managed to hold Chelsea to a rare 1-1 draw at their own stadium. It was a match which Chelsea were expected to comfortably win, given their run this season but there was also a section of the football fraternity who recognised the difficulty of the match. Burnley had collected 28 of their 29 points at home, prior to the clash with the Blues and showed that the statistic was not a fluke by any means in the aftermath of the match.
The Clarets face Hull City next on the25th and can afford to pay proper attention to this FA Cup fixture and we might well see a full-strength turnout for the fixture against Lincoln City.
In the previous match, Burnley surprised one and all with their adventurous play and clearly stunned Chelsea. The hosts had won all four of their previous homes games without conceding but fell behind early on when Pedro finished off a sweeping attack. The visitors dominated possession and it seemed only a matter of time before they added to their advantage.
But Robbie Brady’s stunning free-kick levelled things and from then on there was no looking back for the home side. They almost went ahead before the break but Thibaut Courtois superbly denied Matt Lowton from close range.
In the second half, it was all Burnley as they completely nullified Chelsea’s threat and in the end, the League leaders would have been relieved to be going home with a point.
PREDICTED BURNLEY XI VS LINCOLN CITY (4-4-2)
DEFENCE
Burnley’s sensation of the season Tom Heaton is likely to continue in goal and will be fairly confident of yet another clean sheet. Pope is also an option. Lowton and Ward are likely to take up the fullback positions while the impressive and eye-catching duo of Ben Mee and Michael Keane are going to marshall the defence from the centre back position.
MIDFIELD
Scott Arfield is likely to start on the left-hand side affording Brady an off after his heroic antics in the match against Chelsea. Gudmundsson might come in on the right flank in place of Boyd. Westwood and Barton are likely to continue in central midfield.
ATTACK
Ashley Barnes might keep his place with Gray perhaps the likelier to be rotated. In that case, Sam Vokes will slot into the side and play up front with Barnes.
