Burnley welcome Norwich City to Turf Moor in a blockbuster Friday Night Football clash in the Sky Bet Championship.
Victory would lift Burnley up to second ahead of the weekend’s matches, whilst Norwich can go top with a win until Saturday afternoon at minimum.
Team News
Arijanet Muric is available for Burnley after recovering from a knock which forced him to be susbstituted in last weekend’s draw at West Bromwich Albion.
Annas Zaroury, Halil Dervisoglu and Jordan Beyer are yet to make their debuts after joining during the final week of the transfer window, but won’t be rushed into action until they’ve fully acclamatised to life at the club.
Ashley Westwood (ankle), Scott Twine and Kevin Long (both knocks) remain absent.
Norwich will be without Adam Idah as he recovers from a knee injury which forced him to sit out last weekend’s win over Coventry.
Jacob Sorensen, Dimitris Gianoullis (both ankle) and Sam McCallum (foot) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Burnley have lost just one of their last five Sky Bet Championship meetings against Norwich (W2, D2, L1).
- Norwich have failed to win any of their last five visits to Turf Moor in the second-tier since the league was rebranded to ‘Championship’ (L5).
- Burnley are looking to avoid failing to score in three consecutive matches against Norwich for the first time in the fixture’s history.
- Josh Brownhill has converted four of his 10 shots on target into goals for Burnley this season.
- Josh Sargeant has been involved in six league goals for Norwich this season – having produced five goals and one assist in eight appearances.
Prediction
Despite having suffered just one defeat so far this season, Burnley have proven to be a solid attack-minded team amidst wasteful finishing yet their defence has been leaky which is a worry, especially if the final standings come May boils down to goal difference.
Norwich meanwhile are unbeaten in their last five league matches after a rusty start and Sargent in particular has proven to be a handful with his high-line attacking position, whilst his in-box movement is a huge issue for defenders to deal with on top of quick-paced attacking moves.
I though can see a tight cagey battle given Norwich’s poor second-tier form in this fixture but Burnley haven’t been the best at taking wins when dominating, which offers a see-saw feel as to how this match could go so a draw wouldn’t be a shock yet a fair result.
Prediction: Burnley 1-1 Norwich
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