Burnley are set to clash with Swansea City for their Premier League fixture at Liberty Stadium on Saturday. The Clarets are coming off an impressive 1-1 draw against Manchester City and are still going strong in the 7th spot of the points table. They were magnificently resilient in the face of all that pressure, then turned the screw a bit themselves as the game entered its final phase. A fine match between two teams who are both superb in their own way.
Sean Dyche’s men are enjoying one of their best seasons in top-flight football in decades and have greatly improved on their 16th place finish in the 2016/17 campaign. At one point of the season, they were even contending for a European qualification place against the likes of the Premier League elites. They have exceeded their own expectations and even after a dip of form during the Christmas period, they have maintained their stature as a top half Premier League side ahead of Everton and Leicester City.
Their impressive run of form somehow dipped over the Christmas period and they are currently on a 9-game winless run in the league. Dyche will be eager to bounce back to winning ways to finish the season on a strong note. Swansea are a completely different side under Carlos Carvalhal as they have gone to collect an impressive 7 points in their last 3 games. The Swans are expected to put on a strong display at home to ensure their survival in top-flight English football
Here is how Burnley might line up tomorrow.
Formation: 4-4-2
Defence
Nick Pope has taken over the number 1 spot with Tom Heaton out with a long-term injury. He has been impressive in between the sticks and is motivated to keep his place in the starting XI.
The Ben Mee and Kevin Long centre-back pairing have worked well over the season with cover from the wide areas through Charlie Taylor and Matthew Lowton.
Midfield
Steven Defour, unfortunately, has been ruled out for the rest of the season and he will have to be replaced by Jeff Hendrick. Jack Cork is expected to pair up with him in centre midfield.
Aaron Lennon can replace Scott Arfield on the left wing with Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson on the right.
Attack
With Hendrick operating from a deeper role, Dyche can field both Ashley Barnes and Sam Vokes in the striker role.
