PL PREVIEW: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Clarets aim to regain winning thread at Molineux

2021-04-24T20:54:34.522Z

PL PREVIEW: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley

Clarets aim to regain winning thread at Molineux

2021-04-24T20:54:34.522Z

Clarets aim to regain winning thread at Molineux

The Clarets continue their Sunday service when they go to Wolves for a high noon showdown.

Sunday fixtures have not been kind to Burnley so far this season with seven of their eight games played on that day ending in defeat.

That includes each of the last three weekends, continuing with a 3-1 loss at Manchester United last Sunday.

But it took two late goals from United to leave the Clarets empty-handed and despite recent results, Sean Dyche’s men still take decent form with them to Molineux.

Performances suggest a win isn’t far away and three points at Wolves – who are 12th in the division and seemingly on course for a mid-table finish – would put the Clarets on the brink of Premier League safety and possibly as high as 14th in the table.

PL PREVIEW: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley - Image 1

Burnley beat the Black Country outfit just before Christmas as part of a run that transformed the Clarets’ season.

And despite a halt in their momentum, the Clarets retain the belief they are playing well enough to get the points they need to keep their destiny in their own hands and stay clear of trouble.

“I have been confident every season, but confidence doesn’t win you games,” said Burnley boss Dyche.

“You can be as confident as you like. You need a team that performs to win you games.

“I don’t think I lack confidence in myself or in the people around me, so we’ll hopefully turn any confidences we have as individuals and a collective into winning football.”

Team news

The Clarets could have Nick Pope back in goal after the England international missed the last two games with a shoulder injury.

However, striker Ashley Barnes is not quite ready to return and Kevin Long and Robbe Brady remain sidelined - the latter possibly for the remainder of the campaign.

Clarets hit the road to take on Wolves

Wolves are set to be without their joint leading scorers. Striker Petro Neto is injured and midfielder Ruben Neves – who has also scored five Premier League goals – is isolating post-Covid.

Forward Raul Jiminez is still out with the head injury he suffered at the end of November.

And the Midlanders will also be missing defenders Jonny and Fernando Marcel.

Form guide

The Clarets have lost their last three league games but have had a foothold in all three, leading twice and equalising at Manchester United before conceding two late goals.

Before the last international break, Sean Dyche’s men had lost just one in eight in the Premier League to extend their advantage over the bottom three from four points in early March to six points now.

PL PREVIEW: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley - Image 3

Wolves have won their last two games with 1-0 victories over bottom-three sides Sheffield United and Fulham.

Prior to that, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side had lost three in four and not won in five league games.

Their win over the Blades last weekend followed successive home defeats to West Ham and Liverpool.

Opposition camp

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo:

“Until the end of the season we have a lot of matches to play and a lot of time when we can take advantage of the situation to try and improve and build a foundation.

PL PREVIEW: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley - Image 4

“First, it’s Burnley, let’s totally focus on how we want to approach the game.

“They are a good squad, a good team that creates problems not only to us, but all the teams because their approach of the game is intense, they play good football, they have a good manager and good players.

“They’re real attacks on their strikers, really compact on their defence, a very tough team, a very tough team and a very good team.”

Match stats

Clarets’ defender James Tarkowski is set to make 300th league appearance. His appearances so far read: Oldham Athletic (72), Brentford (70) Burnley (157).

PL PREVIEW: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley - Image 5

Burnley – 2-1 winners at Turf Moor in December – last did the double over Wolves in the top-flight in the 1956/57 season.

The Clarets have lost just one of the last nine league games between the teams.

Wolves are the only side in the top-flight this season not to lose after scoring the opening goal, winning eight of the nine games in which that has happened.

Nine of Wolves’ 11 league wins this season have been by a single-goal margin.

Referee

Darren England

VAR

Michael Oliver

Kick-off

Sunday, 12 noon

Broadcast

BBC One

Join us on Clarets+ for live audio commentary with Phil Bird - exclusive live content and more is only £1 a month!

PL PREVIEW: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley - Image 6

No Room For Racism

The Clarets continue to support and be an active player in the Premier League’s No Room For Racism campaign.

The league and clubs are continuing to work together to fight racism and make it clear that any form of discrimination is unacceptable in football and wider society.

And we urge fans to join that action, to challenge and report racist behaviour wherever they see it, including online.

More details about the campaign can be found here.