U23 PREVIEW: STOKE CITY V BURNLEY

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Clarets head to Potteries for crunch clash in late push for play-offs

2022-04-22T15:57:41.192Z

U23 PREVIEW: STOKE CITY V BURNLEY

Clarets head to Potteries for crunch clash in late push for play-offs

2022-04-22T15:57:41.192Z

Clarets head to Potteries for crunch clash in late push for play-offs

Burnley’s U23 side take on Stoke City in the Potteries on Friday night (April 22) in an important Premier League 2, Division 2 encounter as the campaign nears its conclusion.

Ahead of the pair’s meeting, both are firmly in the play-off mix with just three games each remaining.

Stoke currently occupy 5th and the final spot in those play-offs, though Burnley sit 6th and just three points behind Kevin Russell’s side.

An already superior goal difference means that a win would see the Clarets leapfrog their opponents, and they head into the contest in fine form having won five consecutive games in all competitions including four in the PL2.

Most recently, Burnley won 3-2 at home against another side who are still in with a chance of making the play-offs in West Bromwich Albion.

Max Thompson’s brace in the first half was sandwiched by another goal from Dara Costelloe, the Irishman featuring on the bench for the first team in their win against Southampton last night.

The Baggies did score two quickfire goals to pull themselves back into it at the Lancashire FA’s County Ground in Leyland, though some resolute defending and solid game management saw the Clarets earn three precious points.

Coming out on top in three of their last five in the league, Stoke will pose another strong test for Burnley though lost 2-0 away at Nottingham Forest – the side directly above them in the table at the time of writing - in their own respective last outing.

U23 PREVIEW: STOKE CITY V BURNLEY - Image 1

While aiming to provide a big boost to their play-off ambitions, Friday night’s game at Newcastle Town FC’s Lyme Valley Stadium also provides Burnley with an opportunity to right some of the wrongs from this season’s reverse league fixture.

Back in late November, the Potters were 1-0 victors on a night where the wind whipped around the County Ground and had an impact on the football played by both sides.

Thompson was shown a contentious 11th-minute red card for an adjudged high foot as the ball swirled with the elements which also changed the landscape of the game, and the only goal came from the penalty spot five minutes before the break. Douglas James-Taylor proved the match winner keeping his nerve from 12 yards out.

The Clarets did win on their last trip to the Potteries however, Lewis Richardson on target in a 1-0 win back in December 2020. That game was played at Stoke’s Bet365 Stadium.

Coverage from the Lyme Valley Stadium this time around will come via Twitter - @ClaretsAcademy – while a match report will also be published on the Burnley FC website post-match. Kick-off is at 7:00pm.

The U23s then return to the County Ground on Monday – April 25 – when they welcome Aston Villa in their final home game of the 26-match campaign, and penultimate game overall.

Kick-off again is 7:00pm with the fixture being streamed on both Clarets+ and YouTube with commentary from Phil Bird.

And at the same time on Friday – April 29 – the Clarets round off the regular league season away at title-winners Fulham. The Cottagers play host at their Motspur Park training ground.