The Clarets need three more wins from their last six games to ensure automatic promotion. Will the first come at Oakwell against Barnsley on Tuesday night?
The Pre-amble:
It may have escaped everyone`s notice with the Clarets still seeking automatic promotion that we have already achieved one amazing milestone with six games of the season remaining. What is that? Burnley have 80 points now from 40 games whilst Nottingham Forest in 7th spot have 58 points so a quick check on the calculator confirms that we are already in the play-offs no matter what happens between now and the end of the season. Of course being in the play-offs would be a bitter disappointment now which is an amazing thing to say in itself. Burnley in second spot are currently ten points clear of their nearest rival in third spot, QPR and eleven points ahead of fourth-placed club, Derby County. We are within touching distance of automatic promotion to the top flight but sadly not quite there yet with eighteen points still up for grabs. All we need to do to be sure is to win three of those final remaining six games and if we do that we will be joining Leicester in the top flight next season. The Foxes automatic promotion was confirmed on Saturday and they already have the now magical 89 points and can`t be caught except of course by the Clarets who could still go up as Champions albeit somewhat unlikely since we are already nine points adrift of the league leaders.
It has been a bit of a torrid time for the Clarets recently on the injury front with the loss of Sam Vokes for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury and fellow hotshot striker, Danny Ings also being sidelined and unavailable for the last five games. Kieran Trippier too has been out with a hamstring and he was joined on Saturday by Junior Stanislas. That`s four key players sidelined and coupled with the fact that Dean Marney has also been out suspended for the last two games there have been major challenges recently for Sean Dyche and his team. Burnley though rose to the occasion on Saturday and pulled off a remarkable draw away to Watford against all the odds to earn a point that would prove vital with both QPR and Derby losing their Saturday fixtures. The worse now seems to be over with Dean Marney available again and Trippier and Ings reportedly close to a return but we face Barnsley next at the dreaded bogey ground, Oakwell on Tuesday night and once again we will have a depleted side. The Tykes though are struggling to survive in the Championship and are currently third from bottom two points behind Charlton who also have a game in hand. They will be up for scrap on their home ground on Tuesday night desperate for a win to ease their relegation fears. Barnsley manager Danny Wilson will certainly be under pressure though with his side not having won a home game in three matches, losing two and drawing one. Surprisingly they have been better on the road recently and won their last two games including an impressive 3-1 win away to play-offs chasing Reading. So a top club plays a bottom club with automatic promotion and survival chances at stake. The scene is set for an intriguing game, bring it on!
Barnsley Team News:
Midfielder, Kelvin Etuhu who has been playing at right back recently was sent off for two bookings in two minutes in the Tykes last game at home to Brighton on Saturday and he will now miss the Clarets clash due to an automatic one match ban. Jack Hunt, on loan from Crystal Palace, returned to the squad following an ankle injury at the weekend and could be recalled in defence, while defender Bobby Hassell is also in contention. Tykes` gaffer, Danny Wilson has no other new selection concerns but striker Marcus Pedersen, plus defenders Peter Ramage and Martin Cranie (all hamstring) remain sidelined.
Player to watch: Chris O’Grady
O`Grady continues to be the main Barnsley threat up front with 13 goals to his name so far this season. The 28 year old striker has notched up 19 goals in 48 appearances for the Tykes since arriving at Oakwell. He first had a successful loan spell from Sheffield Wednesday before joining Barnsley on a permanent basis in June 2013 after agreeing a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
Burnley Team News:
Sam Vokes (anterior cruciate ligament) as we all know is now sadly out for the season and will soon face surgery. Both Keiran Trippier (hamstring) and Danny Ings (ankle) though are close to a return but it is not sure if they will be fit enough to play on Tuesday night. Ings has been back training on the grass for nearly a week. Trippier too has also been back in full training. Junior Stanislas also missed out against Watford after complaining in midweek of a tight hamstring and news is awaited on his fitness. Dean Marney however will definitely be back in contention after sitting out his two match automatic suspension for a tenth yellow card.
Player to watch: Ashley Barnes
A lot currently rests on Barnes to do the business in the absence of both Ings and Vokes. He is trying his best and his work rate his phenomenal but he really needs support up front to be effective. There were encouraging signs though on Saturday that the likes of both Arfield or Treacy playing just behind the former Brighton striker might produce the goods.
Team & Tactics:
Dean Marney returns after a two-match suspension and looks likely to go straight back into the starting eleven at the expense of Edgar. Assuming neither Ings nor Trippier make it, Sean Dyche looks set to play Arfield just behind Barnes again in a 4-4-1-1-type formation with Baird once again playing at right back. With Stanislas also possibly sidelined, Treacy and Kightly could once again start on the flanks although this time Wallace might be preferred in the starting eleven. A possible line-up good therefore be:
Heaton, Baird, Duff, Shackell, Mee, Treacy, Marney, Jones, Kightly, Arfield, Barnes
Subs: Cisak, Long, Lafferty, Edgar, Stock, Wallace, Stanislas (if fit) or Hewitt. Should either Ings and/or Trippier be available our options will increase immensely and if Ings does make it we can fully expect a return to 4-4-2 with Ings supporting Barnes up front. The inclusion of Trippier could also release Baard for possible consideration in midfield.
Ref Watch:
Neil Swarbrick gets this War of the Roses clash and this will the first time he will have been in charge of a game involving the Clarets. The Lancashire referee has featured 28 times this season but has only sent one player off whilst flashing 93 yellows.
Match Prediction:
Even though we still have some injury concerns, Burnley should still be too strong for the struggling Tykes especially after that encouraging performance away to Watford with five key players missing. 2-0 Clarets and a rare win at Oakwell!
Next Match:
Middlesbrough are the visitors to Turf Moor on Saturday 12th April (Kick-Off: 3pm)
