PL PREVIEW: BURNLEY V BRENTFORD

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Clarets take on Brentford at Turf Moor in a first ever Premier League meeting between the sides

2021-10-30T08:26:51.353Z

PL PREVIEW: BURNLEY V BRENTFORD

Clarets take on Brentford at Turf Moor in a first ever Premier League meeting between the sides

2021-10-30T08:26:51.353Z

Clarets take on Brentford at Turf Moor in a first ever Premier League meeting between the sides

The game marks the ninth anniversary of Sean Dyche’s appointment as Burnley manager. He succeeded Eddie Howe as Burnley boss and steered the Clarets to two promotions in 2014 and 2016.

It’s the first ever top-flight meeting between the two sides. Brentford were last in the top division either side of the Second World War. The Bees were relegated in 1946/47 when Burnley were promoted from the Second Division.

Dyche has 68 career Premier League wins as a manager and he knows Burnley need to register their first three points of the season.

“Our players believe in the performance levels and that is a good start, we are not naive, we have to turn that into wins."

Brentford have made a good start in the top-flight with 12 points from their first nine games. The Burnley boss has been impressed.

"I think they've adapted in a different way, the running, the pressing, i think they are using it wisely, I don't underestimate anyone in the Premier League, we've seen these teams before and it's not easy."

Manager Sean Dyche speaks to the press ahead of Sunday's match

Team news

Skipper Ben Mee played 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night, he is avaliable to return to Premier League action after injury and illness.

Wayne Hennessey missed the cup defeat with an ankle injury. He may miss out again. Dale Stephens (ankle) remains unavailable but is training again.

For the Bees, Goalkeeper David Raya has suffered a knee ligament injury and will be out for a few months. Spaniard Alvaro Fernandez is likely to deputise.

Both Ethan Pinnock (hip) and Bryan Mbeumo (thigh) will be assessed. They were substituted in the home defeat to Leicester City last Sunday.

Former Oxford United midfielder Shandon Baptiste is out with a shoulder injury.

Form guide

Burnley's last win in the Premier League came in a crucial 2-0 success at Fulham back in May. Their last four Premier League wins have all come away from home.

Maxwel Cornet’s equaliser against Southampton was the first league goal Burnley have scored from a losing position this season.

Burnley last 1-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. Brentford won 2-1 at Championship side Stoke City. Sergi Canos and Ivan Toney scored

The start of two home games in four days for the Clarets

Opposition camp

Brentford are unbeaten away from home in the Premier League. They have picked up wins at West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers with draws at Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.

Manager Thomas Frank knows a long-term injury to former Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Raya is a big setback.

“Of course, it’s a massive blow with David [Raya being out for a few months injured] because I think in nine games he's shown himself to be one of the better keepers in the Premier League.”

Frank has been an admirer of Dyche’s.

“Sean is a manager that I admire a lot. I have heard a few podcasts with him where he talks about the basics and culture. He does everything fantastically with Burnley. They have finished 17th, 10th, 15th, 7th, and 16th the last five seasons. He’s had two top ten finishes with a club which, alongside the three promoted sides, always has a bottom five budget.”

The former Brondby boss is familiar with Burnley’s style.

“Burnley have been very competitive; they should have more points than they have right now. We need to go in and perform.

“Everyone in that team knows what they need to do to try and win the game. They are very competitive off the ball, pressing very high and very aggressive. They are very aggressive with second balls and duels and are very difficult to play against. On the ball they are direct, not only with the long ball but with crosses.”

Wideman Dwight McNeil previews Sunday's Turf Moor clash with Spurs

Match stats

Striker Ashley Barnes celebrates his 32nd birthday on Saturday.

James Tarkowski is set to face is former club. He joined the Bees from Oldham Athletic in 2014.

Burnley did the double over Brentford in their 2015/16 Championship winning season. Michael Keane got the only goal at Turf Moor against a side that featured Tarkowski. Andre Gray had just signed for the Clarets from Brentford.

New Zealand international striker Chris Wood has scored 48 Premier League goals – 47 for Burnley and one for Leicester City.

Brentford’s last top-flight away defeat came at Roker Park in May 1947 when they lost 2-1 to Sunderland.

Referee Jon Moss

VAR Andy Madley

Kick off Saturday 30 October 2021 3pm

Broadcast There will be audio commentary on Clarets+ with Phil Bird and ex-Claret George Boyd from 2.45pm.