PREVIEW: Brighton And Hove Albion v Burnley

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Build-up as Clarets look for first win at happy hunting ground

2020-11-06T10:13:05.972Z

PREVIEW: Brighton And Hove Albion v Burnley

Build-up as Clarets look for first win at happy hunting ground

2020-11-06T10:13:05.972Z

Build-up as Clarets look for first win at happy hunting ground

The Clarets launch the Premier League weekend with a Friday tea-time kick-off at Brighton.

The Amex Stadium meeting starts the last round of fixtures before another international break.

And Burnley will be looking to sign off with a first league win of the season to lift themselves off the foot of the table and potentially out of the bottom three.

The Clarets have collected only one point so far but have played a game fewer than everyone else – bar Manchester United – in the bottom half of the table.

And manager Sean Dyche knows the winning formula is there as his side looks to extend a four-game unbeaten record at the Amex, where Brighton are yet to record a victory this season.

“I know for a fact they can win games because I have seen it from this group,” said Dyche, whose impressive run at Brighton extends back to the 2015/16 promotion season.

“We have got to keep believing that and we have to work hard for it, rather than wait for it to happen.

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“We have to make it happen and make those results come our way.

“I don’t overthink records, but some have seemingly been better at certain clubs.

“Sometimes there’s a bit of psychology to that for players. Sometimes there’s not. You can’t quite define that.

“But I think it’s useful we’re going to a club where we’ve had good results.

“It doesn’t make it easier. You’ve still got to perform but I think there are some markers there and we have generally got something from games down there.”

Team news

The Clarets could welcome back captain Ben Mee for the first time this season after his return to fitness.

Defensive colleague Phil Bardsley is also back in the squad after completing a period of Covid-19 isolation but Erik Pieters is still out, along with Jack Cork.

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Winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson remains a doubt with a calf problem.

Brighton are without skipper and central defender Lewis Dunk as he completes a three-match ban.

Midfielder or wing-back Solly March is a doubt after picking up a knock in last weekend’s defeat at Tottenham but top scorer Neil Maupay returns to the squad after being left out for the trip to White Hart Lane.

Striker Alireza Jahanbakhsh could return and midfielder Davy Popper is also pushing for a start.

Robert Sanchez made his debut in goal for the Seagulls at Spurs after regular number-one Mat Ryan was omitted.

Form guide

The Clarets are still looking for their first league win following back-to-back home defeat to Tottenham and Chelsea.

Sean Dyche’s men picked up their only point so far in their last away game from a goalless draw at West Bromwich Albion.

Brighton are without a win in six games – including an EFL Cup exit to Manchester United.

The 16th-placed Seagulls’ only league win so far came at Newcastle United in their second game of the season.

Graham Potter’s side has collected one point from their three home league games so far.

Opposition camp

Brighton manager Graham Potter: “He (Sean Dyche) has done a wonderful job from where they were to where they are now. He is too easily criticised for the wrong things. People don’t look at the things they have done really well.

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“Football isn’t that complicated, it’s about scoring one more goal than the other team and they have done that well. They mix the game up – they can defend high or deep, they can go direct, but they have got good players who can pass it as well.

“I just see a top team with a top manager. Like all of us they’re going through a bit of pain at the moment, but they have got the resilience and attributes to come through that.”

Match stats

Clarets’ full-back Charlie Taylor is set to make his 250th appearance in English club football.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson will make his 100 Premier League appearance if he is fit to play.

The Clarets’ trio of Chris Wood, Ashley Barnes and summer signing Dale Stephens face their former club. Wood has scored eight times against Brighton – more than against any other side ¬– including three goals for Burnley.

The Clarets are unbeaten in their last four visits to the Amex Stadium. Brighton have won just one of their last 12 home league fixtures.

The Clarets are on their longest winless run for two years – an eight-match streak that ended with a 1-0 victory against Brighton in December 2018.

Referee

Mike Dean

VAR

Michael Oliver

Kick-off

Friday, 5.30pm

Broadcast

Sky Sports Box Office

Audio commentary on Clarets+