This is the real head-to-head relegation battle. Both teams are fighting for safety this season. Burnley is sitting on the fifteenth with thirty three points while The Magpies are four points below them and sitting on the seventeenth. Newcastle is in need of more points to avoid Fulham’s threat which is only separated by three points. The result here could be decisive for their future.
The teams’ previous games
The Clarets went down and suffered another defeat while travelling to Southampton last weekend. Their two-goal advantage by Chris Wood’s penalty and Matej Vydra’s goal was overturned by The Saints through Stuart Amstrong’s, Danny Ings’ and Nathan Redmond’s goal.
Newcastle United was striving last weekend at their home turf to hold Tottenham in a 2-2 draw. Joelinton opened the scoring but Harry Kane’s brace put them one goal behind. Finally on the 85th minute, Arsenal loanee, Joe Willock found the back of the net to salvage one point.
Possible tactic
Sean Dyche has always been in favour of his regular classic 4-4-2 formation. Chris Wood and Matej Vydra or Jay Rodriguez shall feature as the duo frontmen. Unfortunately, some key figures have to be ruled out here including Ashley Barnes, the Ireland international Robbie Brady, Kevin Long and Erik Pieters.
Meanwhile, Steve Bruce will be employing 4-3-1-2 again following the return of some key men. Joelinton and Allan Saint Maximin could be opted for the front two supported by Miguel Almiron. Yet, there are still quite a number of names on the injury table such as Fabian Schar, Ryan Fraser, Andy Caroll, Isaac Hayden, Callum Wilson and the Argentine Federico Fernandez.
Players to watch
The Three Lions goalie, Nick Pope is definitely indispensable for the team alongside the centre back James Tarkowski and Ben Mee. Some other notable names to watch on the attack are the New Zealander striker Chris Wood and the young winger Dwight McNeil who has notched up two goals and three assists.
In the Toon Army, Allan Saint Maximin and the Paraguayan international Miguel Almiron have been the vital figures on their attack. They both provide creativity the team lack of while building the attack and breaking the deadlock. Some other important names to focus on here are Jonjo Shelvey, the former Hoffenheim man, Joelinton and The Gunners’ loanee, Joe Willock who has netted twice since his arrival.
Burnley vs Newcastle United Prediction
Sean Dyche’s men would be expected to secure three points at home. Yet, they have never won a single game at home in the last twelve matches. Their two victories were sealed on the road. Miguel Almiron and Co are not so much different with their winless run in the past seven games. Thus, a stalemate is more probable here.
Betting odds
Neither side seems to be the favourite in this fixture. The home side’s win market is at 7/5, whereas Steve Bruce’s men are backed to win at 5/2. The odds for the draw result are at 11/5.
