This weekend sees a welcome return to Premier League action, unless you are a fan of a club that has yet to get off the mark this season that is.
The Eagles travel to Turf Moor in a live televised fixture at the venue that has seen a number of goals in previous match ups between the two sides. That is no doubt due to both teams being fairly evenly matched and there is every chance that this game will be not be any different.
The pressure is on Palace boss Frank de Boer who is still searching for a first Premier League win and if rumours are to be believed, this could be the Dutchman’s final opportunity. A fourth loss in a row could spell the end of a very short stint in charge of the South London side.
In contrast, Sean Dyche has overseen his side to four points from the opening three games which included a shock win at Stamford Bridge on opening day. Their only home game to date so far this season ended in a narrow loss to West Bromwich Albion.
TEAM NEWS
CRYSTAL PALACE – Pape Souare (leg), James Tomkins (groin), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (groin), Jairo Riedewald (groin), Wilfried Zaha (knee), Bakary Sako (muscle), Connor Wickham (knee) and Mamadou Sakho (fitness) are all unlikely to feature.
BURNLEY – Dean Marney (knee) is a major doubt while Jeff Hendrick (thigh) may be available.
ACTION REPLAY
The last time the two sides met was at Selhurst Park in April. The visitors had yet to win away from home and it was in South London where they earned their first. Former Brighton striker Ashley Barnes scored their first and with the Eagles chasing the game, the Clarets scored the decisive second goal in the last few minutes courtesy of Andre Gray.
Who Scored man of the match – Michael Keane
FORM GUIDE
Last FIVE meetings between the two sides;
- 29/04/2017: Crystal Palace 0-2 Burnley
- 05/11/2016: Burnley 3-2 Crystal Palace
- 17/01/2015: Burnley 2-3 Crystal Palace
- 13/09/2014: Crystal Palace 0-0 Burnley
- 12/01/2013: Burnley 1-0 Crystal Palace
Last FIVE results for Palace;
- 26/08/2017: Crystal Palace 0-2 Swansea City
- 22/08/2017: Crystal Palace 2-1 Ipswich Town
- 19/08/2017: Liverpool 1-0 Crystal Palace
- 12/08/2017: Crystal Palace 0-3 Huddersfield Town
- 05/08/2017: Crystal Palace 1-1 Schalke 04
Last FIVE results for Burnley;
- 27/08/2017: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Burnley
- 23/08/2017: Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Burnley
- 19/08/2017: Burnley 0-1 West Bromwich Albion
- 12/08/2017: Chelsea 2-3 Burnley
- 01/08/2017: Burnley 2-2 Celta Vigo
FORM PLAYERS (courtesy of Who Scored)
Top two rated players from each team so far this season;
- James Tarkowski 7.41
- Ben Mee 7.40
- Patrick van Aanholt 6.86
- Wayne Hennessey 6.82
TRANSFERS
There has been plenty of movement at Turf Moor this summer with the additions of Charlie Taylor from Leeds United, Jonathan Walters from Stoke City and Jack Cork joining from Swansea City. The front line has been further strengthened with Chris Wood from Leeds and Nakhi Wells from Huddersfield Town. Among those that have left are Michael Kightly, Joey Barton, George Boyd, Andre Gray and Michael Keane.
ONE TO WATCH
CHRIS WOOD
Former clubs – Waikato FC, Hamilton Wanderers, West Bromwich Albion, Barnsley (loan), Brighton (loan), Birmingham (loan), Bristol City (loan), Millwall (loan), Leicester City, Ipswich Town (loan), Leeds United
Born in Auckland, New Zealand, the much traveled striker began his career in the youth set up at Cambridge (NZ) before moving on to Waikato and Hamilton Wanderers. A move to England took place in 2009 as West Bromwich Albion signed him but his four years at the Hawthorns was spent mostly on loan in as many as six different spells elsewhere.
Leicester City secured his services in 2013 where he made over fifty appearances and scored twelve goals before a move to Leeds United in 2013. It was the 25 year old strikers form at Elland Road that raised a few eyebrows where his strike rate was close to a goal every two games which ultimately encouraged Burnley to add him to their strike force.
Wood has represented his country at both Under 17 and Under 23 level before racking up over fifty full international appearances and twenty-three goals to date.
PREDICTION
Final league position – 16th
Burnley have made solid additions to their squad this season and may well finish higher than suggested. The fact that it is a long season and there could be a question mark about strength in depth is likely to see the side from Turf Moor survive but similar to last season which they will no doubt be pleased with.
- TEB prediction – draw
- Tyrone Marshall’s prediction (see link below) – home win
- Who Scored prediction – draw
BETTING ODDS (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home – 13/10
- Draw – 21/10
- Away – 9/4
- Both teams to score – Evens
Find out what Tyrone Marshall from the Lancashire Telegraph told TEB this week in The Burnley View
