U23 PREVIEW: FULHAM V BURNLEY

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Final game of season for Clarets away against Cottagers with play-off finish the target

2022-04-29T08:00:00.000Z

U23 PREVIEW: FULHAM V BURNLEY

Final game of season for Clarets away against Cottagers with play-off finish the target

2022-04-29T08:00:00.000Z

Final game of season for Clarets away against Cottagers with play-off finish the target

Burnley’s U23 side play out the final game of their Premier League 2, Division 2 campaign on Friday night (April 29) away at Fulham with a play-off finish still very much a possibility.

Going into the game at the Cottagers’ Motspur Park training ground after five wins and a draw in their last six league fixtures, the Clarets are 6th. Only goal difference currently keeps them out of the top five with Norwich City (5th) and Nottingham Forest (4th) also sat on 39 points.

Third-place Stoke City meanwhile are just one point above Burnley, with the Clarets having a better goal difference than the Potters.

Last time out, under the care of assistant Andy Farrell, the U23s came from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 in their final home game.

Irish striker Dara Costelloe, who has been involved with the first-team squad recently, was on the scoresheet once again while centre back Dan Sassi popped up with a header from a corner in the second half.

That his first goal at U23 level having started the campaign as U18s captain, Sassi’s effort proved to be the winner at the Lancashire FA’s County Ground in Leyland, claiming an invaluable three points.

Opponents in the division this season however don’t come tougher than Fulham, who were crowned champions months ago and will lift the league title on Friday evening.

The Whites are currently 15 points clear of second-placed Wolves and have lost just four times in the league this season. One of those did come in a shock defeat to bottom side Reading away from home on Monday night though.

Trailing 2-0 at the break, Fulham pulled a goal back via Jay Stansfield before conceding again to Reading’s Rashawn Scott.

However, the Cottagers did come out on top in their reverse fixture with the Clarets this season. Albeit narrowly, November saw Fulham win 2-1 at the County Ground with Michael Mellon’s equaliser cancelling out Matt Dibley-Dias’ opener before Luciano D’Auria-Henry popped up with a winner for the then visitors.

Managed by head of player development at the club - Steve Wigley – Fulham’s side that night included Steven Sessegnon and Marlon Fossey. Both of those went onto enjoy successful loan spells in League One with Plymouth Argyle and Bolton Wanderers respectively.

While the Clarets will focus on their own performance at Motspur Park on Friday night – 7:00pm kick-off – their finishing position will also depend on other results. The key fixtures to look out for in the U23s division are Birmingham City vs Nottingham Forest, Norwich City vs Wolves & Stoke City vs West Bromwich Albion.

Our coverage from West London will come via Twitter - @ClaretsAcademy – while a post-match report will also be published on the Burnley FC website.

The U23s are also in action next Wednesday night – May 4 – in the final of the Lancashire Senior Cup against Liverpool. Also taking place at the County Ground in Leyland, kick-off in that game is scheduled for 7:30pm.