PL PREVIEW: BURNLEY V SOUTHAMPTON

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

2022-04-20T15:16:25.654Z

PL PREVIEW: BURNLEY V SOUTHAMPTON

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

2022-04-20T15:16:25.654Z

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

Burnley face Southampton at Turf Moor on Thursday night (7.45pm) live on Sky Sports.

Under-23s manager Mike Jackson is acting as interim manager with Burnley in 18th place with seven games left.

And the former Preston North End and Bury defender is adamant Burnley can stay up.

“Yes, definitely. I believe it. You have got to. I have seen enough in the group. I know this group had been there before. I have seen the reaction and the response, how they all came together the other day. Those signs are good. I see bits in the play where they are starting to think, this is possible. I think there is enough in this group.”

Jackson is following an old football cliché by taking it one game at a time.

“For me, my sole focus is on making sure the team are prepared for Thursday. There was a lot of pressure on that group on Sunday, a lot of people asking questions but they performed well.”

The Clarets face Southampton on Thursday and Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday both at Turf Moor and Jackson appreciates the role fans can play.

“Two home games are good. If we can keep the mentality and what can happen in that stadium. Look at the Everton game. The atmosphere that can be created can be really powerful.”

Form guide

The Clarets drew 1-1 at the London Stadium on Sunday. Wout Weghorst scored for Burnley with Tomas Soucek equalising for West Ham.

Meanwhile, Southampton bounced back from a disappointing 6-0 home defeat to Chelsea by beating Arsenal 1-0 at St Mary’s on Saturday. Defender Jan Bednarek got the goal. The Saints are 12th with 39 points.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have won three league games on their travels, at Watford, West Ham and Tottenham.

PREVIEW: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR V BURNLEY - Image 2

Opposition guide

Hasenhuttl replaced Mark Hughes as Southampton boss in December 2018. This is his third full season in charge.

The Saints are aiming for a top half finish. They finished eighth in 2017 under Claude Puel.

The 1-0 win over Arsenal was their first clean sheet in the Premier League since February 25 and ended a run of six games without a win in all competitions.

And the Austrian knows it will be a tough test for his team.

“It’s never an easy place to go despite their lack of form. We have to show our recent performances like we did against Arsenal.

“This was the atmosphere you have to expect there so you have to be resistant and have to know that you it's not always about playing that football, it is about defending your goal with all you have.”

Hasenhuttl wants his team to keep climbing the division. He has eyes on a top ten position.

"We have now the chance in the last six games to climb positions or to lose positions and this is the goal now. There is no time for looking for who can get a chance, I think it should be a very clear message for everybody that the best XI should play and they get the chance to play."

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Match stats

The Clarets came from behind to beat Everton 3-2 in their last home game with Maxwel Cornet scoring the winner.

Mike Jackson scored for Preston North End at Turf Moor in a 3-0 Second Division win in March 2000. Both sides were promoted that season.

Nick Pope has 49 clean sheets for Burnley with 44 of those coming in the Premier League. The England international turned 30 on Wednesday.

Jay Rodriguez made 126 appearances for the Saints between 2012 and 2017. He scored 35 times including a goal in Southampton’s FA Cup win over Burnley in January 2014.

James Ward Prowse is set to make his 300th Premier League appearance. He made his debut at the Etihad back in August 2012.

The reverse fixture finished as a 2-2 draw at St Mary’s with Valentino Livramento and Armando Broja scoring for Southampton. Maxwel Cornet netted twice for Burnley.

Referee

Stuart Attwell

VAR

John Brooks

Kick off

Thursday, 21st April 2022 (7.45pm)