Burnley open a crucial festive period with a vital match against fellow playoff hopefuls Stoke City on Boxing Day. It is the first of three matches in six days, which will shape the Clarets’ season going into 2006.
Vital Quotes:
‘We’ve done well at home of late with five wins on the spin, so it’s nice to start the Christmas period with a home game,’ Steve Cotterill.
Burnley Team News:
Burnley have no new injury problems going into the festive period, but have lost Nathan Dyer early after he was recalled to Southampton.
Player to watch: Ade Akinbiyi
The hitman lines up against his former club. He had a habit of scoring at Turf Moor for Stoke. Turf Moor has proved to be a good ground for Akinbiyi, who has 11 goals in the Championship this season.
Stoke City Team News:
Sambegou Bangoura, John Halls and Marlon Broomes all return for Stoke after completing suspensions.
Luke Chadwick could also play despite struggling with a hernia as well as sickness, though Clint Hill and John Eustace are both still out.
Player to watch: Sambegou Bangoura
The Guinean striker, who arrived in a near £1 million deal from Standard Liege in Belgium has taken to the Championship in style, scoring a remarkable 8 goals in only ten appearances.
Match Facts & Stats
Ade Akinbiyi and manager Steve Cotterill line up against their former club on Boxing Day.
Stoke have lost just two matches since the start of November, winning the rest to reach 5th in the Championship
Burnley enter the match on the back of five straight home wins.
Match Prediction:
2-1 home win.
Next Fixtures:
Burnley travel to Norwich on December 28