U21 PL CUP PREVIEW: STOKE CITY V BURNLEY

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Clarets Premier League Cup campaign continues in Potteries

2022-10-26T18:00:00.000Z

U21 PL CUP PREVIEW: STOKE CITY V BURNLEY

Clarets Premier League Cup campaign continues in Potteries

2022-10-26T18:00:00.000Z

Clarets Premier League Cup campaign continues in Potteries

Burnley’s U21 side are in action for the second time this week on Thursday night - 27th October - when their Premier League Cup campaign continues with a trip to face Stoke City (7pm KO).

On Monday - 24th October - the Clarets suffered a first defeat in eight Professional Development League outings, beaten 3-2 by Northern Section leaders Sheffield United at the County Ground in Leyland.

Still sat 2nd, a point ahead of Wigan Athletic in 3rd with a game in hand, Burnley fought from 3-0 down against the Blades and goals from Marcel Lewis & Dara Costelloe ensured it would be a nervy last 20 minutes for the visitors.

U21 PL CUP PREVIEW: STOKE CITY V BURNLEY - Image 1

Kevin Long thought he’d equalised at the death having won a header from Ne-Jai Tucker’s free-kick but was denied only by the face of United goalkeeper Jordan Amissah, who knew nothing about it, and the Clarets lost out come the full time whistle.

Thursday evening though provides a chance for the side to bounce back quickly, with the trip to Nantwich Town’s Weaver Stadium the second of six group stage games after a 3-1 defeat at home to Arsenal on the opening day for the Clarets last month.

Swansea City complete the four-club group G, with the Gunners also defeating the Swans 2-1. Stoke’s first game in the competition this term will be against the Clarets on Thursday.

Once all the teams have played their six games, the top two will advance to the knockout stages of the competition. 16 teams overall progress from the eight groups, and from that point on the ties become one-off.

Like Arsenal, the Potters U21s also ply their trade in Premier League 2, Division 2. They are headed up by ex-Claret frontman Kevin Russell, who netted six league goals in our 1993/94 promotion season, but departed in March so wasn't a part of the Play-Off final victory over Stockport County as pictured below.

U21 PL CUP PREVIEW: STOKE CITY V BURNLEY - Image 2

In his time at Turf Moor, Russell played alongside Andy Farrell who will be in the opposite dugout on Thursday night in the Potteries.

But, skip forward to the present day, and Russell’s Potters side are 10th in their league table having taken five points from their opening eight games.

And as with Russell & Farrell, the two sets of players out on the pitch will be familiar with one another having been in the same division last term.

Then in an U23 format, Stoke took three points on their visit to Leyland last November thanks to a 1-0 win via a penalty.

And in the reverse fixture, which was played at the home of Newcastle Town FC in April, it was a goalless draw.

U21 PL CUP REPORT: STOKE CITY 1-1 BURNLEY - Image 2

The Potters would go on to reach the Play-Off final for a shot at promotion into the top-flight of U21s football, but lost out 2-0 to Wolves at Molineux.

For the latest instalment of Potters vs Clarets on Thursday night, entry is free to the Weaver Stadium - CW5 5BS.