Clarets to bask in South Coast sunshine?
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| Charlotte Wilson/Offside gettyimages |
Temperatures are set to hit 15° in Southampton tomorrow and Burnley
will aim to make the Saints feel the heat as they attempt to edge closer to
Premier League survival.
The Clarets are undefeated in their last three trips to St
Mary’s and go into tomorrow’s game off the back of a 2-1 victory at Everton
before the international break.
Ashley Barnes is still dealing with a thigh problem and is
not available for selection. Robbie Brady and Kevin Long also miss out after picking
up injuries to their Achilles and Calf while on international duty with The Republic of Ireland.
Matej Vydra has enjoyed an extended run in the side of late
starting the last 5 games scoring once in that timeframe.
The Czech Republic international will have fond memories of
playing away at Saint Mary’s having scored there on his last visit with Burnley
in February 2020.
On that occasion, he controlled Jeff Hendrick’s lofted pass
with his chest before flicking the ball round Kyle-Walker-Peters to smash past Alex
McCarthy.
Anything similar to that this time around would go down a
treat as Sean Dyche and his team look to earn a third away win of the campaign.
Former Claret Danny Ings may have something to say about
that though as he looks set to return from injury for his hometown club after
being out for a month with a groin issue.
Ings has struggled to find the net this season but the
Burnley backline will be aware of the threat he poses after he dispatched Che Adams
pass to give his side the 1-0 win in the reverse fixture at Turf Moor.
Despite their great start to the season which saw them top
of the league in November, Southampton have registered just two league wins
since January.
Burnley on the other hand have one league defeat in eight
games and need seven more points to reach the magical 40-point mark.
Both teams sit level on points with one another, but it is
Southampton who are one place above Burnley on goals scored.
The manager's view:
Sean Dyche:
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| Peter Powell gettyimages |
“Generally, I think this break was needed for the group. We
are getting bodies back fit now which is good, it adds to the depth of the team
and the squad.”
“They are still a good outfit. I know they’ve had a trickier
second half to the season so far than the first because they were really strong
in the first half of the season.”
“That can happen, we know the realities of the Premier league;
we don’t take anyone for granted.”
Ralph Hassenhuttl:
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| Peter Powell gettyimages |
“As soon as the injured players are coming back, you
normally have more quality and more options for your game plan, this will help
us.”
“They are always good, organised, always strong. Every team
is struggling against them. They (have) had some good results this season
again.”
What do you think the score will be? Will Burnley continue
their good form? Or will Southampton all but secure their safety? Comment
below!
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