PL PREVIEW: Sheffield United v Burnley

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Clarets look to end on a high as Blades welcome back fans for Premier League finale

2021-05-23T07:49:08.882Z

PL PREVIEW: Sheffield United v Burnley

Clarets look to end on a high as Blades welcome back fans for Premier League finale

2021-05-23T07:49:08.882Z

Clarets look to end on a high as Blades welcome back fans for Premier League finale

The Clarets end a demanding campaign with a trip to relegated Sheffield United and the chance to equal a club record.

It’s taken all Burnley’s fighting spirit to avoid the drop themselves after going seven games at the start of the season without a victory.

Sean Dyche’s men have overcome injury problems and a struggle to win behind closed doors at Turf Moor to get themselves comfortably into a position of safety.

They could finish as many as 14 points clear of the relegation places – depending on how results pan out on the final day.

And if the Clarets can complete the double at Bramall Lane - having beaten the Yorkshiremen 1-0 at Turf Moor at the end of December - a seventh away success of the campaign would match anything they’ve managed before as a Premier League club.

The Blades will be desperate to avoid that and an unwanted record of their own for the highest number of defeats in a Premier League season.

PL PREVIEW: Sheffield United v Burnley - Image 1

Acting United boss Paul Heckingbottom wants an upbeat atmosphere as home supporters return for the first time since the Blades were riding high and moving towards a top-10 finish under previous manager Chris Wilder last season.

The Clarets, however, will want to make it anything but a fond farewell to the top-flight for the home side as they look to finish a job well done with a third successive away win.

“It will be a good atmosphere with them having fans back in at home,” said Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill.

“Hopefully, we can spoil the party a little bit and end on a high for the season.”

Team news

The Clarets could have Nick Pope back in goal after the England international missed Burnley’s last two games with a knee problem.

PL PREVIEW: Sheffield United v Burnley - Image 2

Robbie Brady, Kevin Long, Dale Stephens and ex-Sheffield United loanee Phil Bardsley are all out.

Sheffield United are without Oli McBurnie, Jack O'Connell, Billy Sharp, Ethan Ampadu and Sander Berge but defender George Baldock could return.

Form guide

The Clarets have lost their last two games since securing safety but are aiming to complete a hat-trick of away wins for only the second time as a Premier League club.

Burnley could finish as high as 15th in the table, depending on Newcastle’s result at Fulham and Brighton’s at Arsenal.

Like Burnley, bottom club Sheffield United have won two of their last five games following a run of nine defeats in 19 league games.

The Blades have drawn just once at home this season. If Sunday’s game ends in a draw, the Clarets will finish with 40 points and their points’ tally in each of their last five seasons in the Premier League will read 40, 54, 40, 54, 40.

PL PREVIEW: Sheffield United v Burnley - Image 3

Opposition camp

Sheffield United caretaker-manager Paul Heckingbottom told the Sheffield Star: “I hope it’s a celebration and, if it isn’t, then I think everyone, both the fans and the club, has missed a trick.

“Yes, nobody wanted this season to go the way it has. It’s been a really difficult experience.

“But the journey this club has been on, well, it’s been incredible when you think about it. You can’t always be on the up all the time in football and hopefully this is just a blip for us.

“If the fans had been in this time last year, it would have been a celebration because the players eventually came ninth. Now, when they can come back, it’s after a relegation.

“But there’s so much that has happened, including Chris’ (Wilder) leaving to process and recognise too. So, I hope that happens and that the players get a great reception, because personally I think they deserve it.”

Match stats

Burnley have six away wins this season. Another success on Sunday would equal their Premier League record of seven set in 2017/18.

Sean Dyche’s side could also equal a club record of three successive away Premier League wins set in 2018.

The Clarets are aiming for a third double over the Blades and a first since 2008-09 when Owen Coyle's team also beat United at Wembley in the Championship play-off final.