Burnley are enjoying a dream start to their 2017-18 season. In a season where the good teams like Everton and West Ham United have failed to turn up, Burnley have gone about their business quietly. They are now seventh in the table and fighting hard against the top six sides of England. However, the jammed up fixture schedule of January has seen Dyche’s men fall off the pace a little bit and the Clarets are now winless for nine matches.
They have notched up nine wins and just been defeated on eight occasions in their 24 matches this season. A strange number amidst all these stats is the fact that they have just scored 19 goals in the process in their matches. It means they well outside the top ten in terms of goals scored but however has still been able to stay seventh on the table.
The credit obviously goes to Sean Dyche’s defensive infrastructure at Burnley. They have been incredibly difficult to get past and barring the top teams no other team has been able to break their defence on more than one occasion in ninety minutes. They have the fourth-best defence in the league and have just conceded 21 goals in their 24 allotted matches, which averages to less than 1 goal per match.
However, to keep up this good form and possibly challenge for a European spot, Burnley will need to add goals to their game.
Here is how Dyche will look to set his team up for the Tottenham Hotspur fixture.
Formation: 4-4-1-1
Defence
Nick Pope will be expected in goal for Burnley for the match against Spurs. Dyche is unlikely to tamper with his defence that has performed so well this season but injuries and suspensions will force his hand. Phil Bardsley will be expected in right back position with Charlie Taylor in the left back place. Kevin Long will be expected to partner Ben Mee in the absence of James Tarkowski at the heart of the defence.
Midfield
Scott Arfield will be expected to play in the left wing position. The right-wing position will most probably be occupied by Johann Berg Gudmundsson. The stylish Ashley Westwood will be one of the central midfielders alongside Jack Cork.
Attack
Jeff Hendrick will play as the withdrawn forward with English striker Ashley Barnes expected to lead the line.
