After back to back losses against Liverpool, Manchester City and Crystal Palace in the last three games in all competitions, Sean Dyche’s side are in a small slump at the moment and it will not be easy for them to get out of it this weekend, when they welcome a Manchester United side, who are desperate to retain their 2nd place in the points table.
Turf Moor has always been a tough place to tour but the Red Devils will go for the kill and make it as tough as possible for the hosts, to get back to winning ways. The Clarets could lose their 7th place in the points table, if they are not able to take even a point from this game and Dyche is expected to field his strongest XI. Here is the predicted lineup Burnley might play for this game:
Team News:
Robby Brady and Jonathan Walters remain long-term injuries for the side. Tom Heaton, Stephen Ward and Chris Wood are close to a return but are not available for this game. Scott Arfield and Charlie Taylor are however expected to be fit for this weekend.
Expected lineup (4-4-2):
Defense:
In Heaton’s absence, Nick Pope has done extremely well at the back for the Clarets and should retain his place under the bar against Manchester United. He should be aided by Burnley’s first choice CB partnership of James Tarkowski and Ben Mee, both of whom have been hard to beat this season.
Phil Bardsley and Charlie Taylor will start in the right-back and left-back roles respectively. They have a huge job in their hands, keeping the likes of Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford in check this weekend.
Midfield:
Scott Arfied’s return from injury gives Dyche some headaches in the midfield. But he should stick with a trusted combination, that could see Jack Cork And Steven Defour retain their place in the middle of the field. They will have their work cut out, keeping French international Paul Pogba away from goal.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson played on the flank in the game against Crystal Palace and could retain his place on the right side while Ashley Barnes, who needs to step up his game, is expected to start on the left flank.
Attack:
Chris Wood’s injury has seen Ashley Barnes and Sam Vokes deputize in the attack. With Barnes playing on the wing, Vokes remains the only other choice to lead the line for the Clarets. Jeff Hendrick, who has been an important part of the squad this season, will hope to weave his magic and help Burnley repeat their performance from the reverse fixture, that ended in a 2-2 draw.
Here is how they might line up:
