On Sky
It was mission accomplished on Easter Monday after beating Wigan 2-0 at Turf Moor. That result confirmed our automatic promotion to the Premier League with two games to go. Can they keep the celebrations going in their last home game of the season against Ipswich this Saturday?
The Pre-amble:
The pressure is now off following the 2-0 victory over Wigan at home on Easter Monday and all Clarets fans can now chillax. That result of course confirmed we would be plying our trade in the Premier League next season. Leicester City were also crowned Champions this week following their 1-0 away win at Bolton on Tuesday night so in effect Burnley have nothing to play for other than pride in their last two remaining games. The Clarets will finish the season as runners-up, a remarkable achievement under the circumstances. They currently have 89 points from 44 games and it would nice to break through the 90 point barrier before we start preparing for life in the top flight.
Our last home game against Ipswich Town on Saturday will be covered live by Sky Sports so will kick-off early at 12:15pm. It will be our last home game in the Championship for some time and hopefully for more than one season unlike the last time we got promoted to the Premier League four years ago. The danger for the Clarets is that complacency could set in with nothing to play for but let`s hope we can continue our winning ways and not put a dampener on the celebrations. It is a different story for Mick McCarthy`s Ipswich though. Their play-offs hopes are still very much alive and they will be hoping they can take advantage of Burnley`s situation and put the Clarets under pressure. The Blues are currently in 9th spot on 65 points but that is still only two points behind sixth-placed club, Reading with two games and six points still up for grabs. Their form does seem a little bit unpredictable though. They have won six, lost four and drawn two of their last twelve games. In terms of away form they have lost three and won three of their last games on the road.
It would be nice to finish our home campaign on a high in front of the Sky Cameras and make a statement of intent now that our promotion has been confirmed. Come on You Clarets!!
Burnley Team News:
There is no news of any injuries from the Easter Monday game and only Sam Vokes remains sidelined (cruciate ligament). Once again Sean Dyche appears to have the luxury of virtually a full squad to choose from.
Player to watch: Danny Ings
Championship Player of the Year, Danny Ings has been quiet of late following his return from injury and it would be nice if he could get back on the score sheet in these final two games of the season. His tally at the moment stands at 25 goals in all competitions so it looks like he could just miss out on the 30 goal target last set by Willie Irvine back in the sixties. He needs five goals from two games so a hat-trick and a brace? Come on Danny!!
Ipswich Town Team News:
The injuries are mounting for Ipswich gaffer, Mick McCarthy.
David McGoldrick is out for the rest of the season. The 26-year-old has been sidelined since damaging a ligament in February and this month the striker had surgery to repair the damage. He currently remains Ipswich`s top scorer this season with 16 goals from 34 games
Defenders Christophe Berra and Luke Hyam both missed the draw with Bournemouth on Easter Monday after taking knocks in the defeat at Watford at the weekend. Midfielder Paul Anderson was also forced off during the second-half against Bournemouth with a reoccurrence of a hamstring injury. Anthony Wordsworth is another concern for the Blues. The midfielder suffered a dead leg against the Cherries.
Player to watch: Daryl Murphy
In the absence of the injured David McGoldrick, Murphy has taken over the goal-scoring mantle. Although he has not scored in the last two games, he previously banged in four from six games and is currently their second highest goal scorer with 13 goals in all competitions. The 31 year old Republic of Ireland international started his career as a youth player with Southend and has since played for Luton, hometown Waterford United, Sunderland and Celtic. He had no less than three loan spells with Ipswich before joining them permanently in June 2013 after agreeing a two-year deal with the club
Team & Tactics:
Sean Dyche could name an unchanged eighteen for the fourth game running if he so wishes. If that is the case then we will line up as follows:
Heaton, Tripper, Duff, Shackell, Mee, Kightly, Marney, Jones, Arfield, Barnes, Ings
Subs: Cisak, Long, Baird, Edgar, Treacy, Wallace, Stanislas
He might though be tempted to try a few experiments or give his young guns and fringe players a run out with the pressure now off.
Ref Watch:
Newport referee, James Linington will be the man in charge of our last home game of the season. The man from the Isle of Wight only recently refereed a match involving the Clarets taking charge of our game against Birmingham City at St. Andrew`s last month. The match was a thriller finishing 3-3 and Linington flashed just three yellow cards that day. His total tally this season so far from his 35 games is 7 reds (1-in-5) and 105 yellows.
Match Prediction:
With now nothing to play for other than pride and up against a side still hoping for a play-offs spot, the Clarets could be under a different kind of pressure to get three points and so finish their home campaign on a high. The word complacency after a few days of celebration comes to mind and we all know what happened to Leicester under similar circumstances. After their automatic promotion had been confirmed a few weeks ago, they promptly took their foot off the gas and lost 4-1 at home to Brighton in their next game. We don`t really want to spoil the celebrations, the town is still buzzing so let`s do the business and win. 3-1 Clarets!
Next Match:
The season comes to an end on Saturday 3rd May when the Clarets visit Reading for the final game. The match kicks-off at 12:15pm. It will be our last game in the Championship hopefully for some time after achieving automatic promotion to the Premier League.
