Burnley’s historic Premier League campaign last season has gifted them with an opportunity to play European football next season. However, they will first have to get past the challenge of Scottish side Aberdeen, in the qualifiers of the Europa League this year. They travel to Pittodrie Stadium this Thursday for the first leg and Sean Dyche will hope that his side can bring home an advantage.
They beat Preston North End in their only friendly before this qualifier and will go into this game with the same squad from the previous season. They have lost Scott Arfield and Chris Long and have a decent chance of going through and here is the predicted lineup Dyche might field for this tie.
Team News:
With no new signings, Dyche does not have any issues in fielding a similar XI from last season. Robbie Brady is yet to reach full fitness and could miss this game while Steven Defour and Ashley Barnes missed the friendly against Preston and are doubtful. Nick Pope is yet to return from his post-World Cup holiday and will also be unavailable.
Expected Formation (4-4-1-1):
Defence:
With Pope not back with the squad, Dyche should start Tom Heaton on goal, as he will be given a chance to crawl his way back into the first team. Matthew Lowton and Stephan Ward were used as full-backs in that friendly and are expected to start there for this crunch tie.
James Tarkowski and Ben Mee were impressive coming back from a break in the last match and they will have to make sure that Burnley silence the home fans early at Pittodrie.
Midfield:
Dyche found a real solution to his midfield problems in Johann Berg Gudmundsson as he now stands as one of the first names on the team sheet for the Clarets. He will start on the right flank while Aaron Lennon, who scored in the friendly against Preston, could add some width to the attack from the left flank.
Jack Cork remains the best options for the manager in a defensive midfield role and he should be partnered with Ashley Westwood, who might add a bit of spark to the side, in the middle of the park.
Read More: Burnley Set To Bring In Exciting English Prodigy To Turf Moor: Dyche Planning Ahead?
Attack:
Sam Vokes put in a decent shift earlier in the week and will continue to lead the line for Burnley. Jeff Hendrick has the ability to create chances out of nothing and will start in a no. 10 role on this trip to Aberdeen.
Here is how they might line up:
