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 sixth in the table and fighting hard against the top six sides of England. Their achievement becomes even more impressive when it is noted that they are just one point behind fifth-placed Liverpool and ahead of seventh-placed Tottenham Hotspur by one point. In fact, Sean Dyche’s team is just three points off a Champions League spot.
They have notched up seven wins and just been defeated thrice in their 14 matches this season. A strange number amidst all these stats is the fact that they have just scored 14 goals in the process in their twelve matches. It means they stand eleventh in terms of goals scored but however has still been able to stay sixth 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 Chelsea and Manchester City no other team has been able to break their defence on more than one occasion in ninety minutes.
However, to keep up this good form and possibly challenge for a European spot, Burnley will need to add goals to their game. In their last match against Bournemouth, they came away with all 3 points with a 2-1 scoreline. As they prepare to host an off-form Stoke City for the weekend fixture, Dyche’s men will want to win all three points again and keep their dream of playing European football next season alive.
Here is how Dyche will look to set his team up for the Stoke City fixture.
Formation: 4-4-1-1
Defence
Nick Pope will be expected in goal for Burnley for the match against Stoke City. Dyche is unlikely to tamper with his defence that has performed so well this season. Phil Bardsley will be expected in right back position with Stephen Ward in the left back place. Ben Mee will be expected to partner James Tarkowski once again at the heart of the defence.
Midfield
The dynamic Robbie Brady 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 Steven Defour will be one of the central midfielders alongside Jack Cork.
Attack
Jeff Hendrick will play as the withdrawn forward with New Zealand international Chris Wood expected to lead the line.
