The Clarets travel to Liberty Stadium to play new boys, Swansea City today and will be looking to win their third match in succession.
This will be the first time that Burnley will have played the Swans on their new ground and indeed you have to go back to 1995 since the last time we played each other at all. The venue then was of course Vetch Field with Swansea not moving to their new stadium until 2005.
This should be a close fought match with both teams in similar positions on the same number of points. The Clarets in 12th place are on 8 points but Swansea have a better goal difference (minus 1 compared to minus 3) and find themselves in 10th place.
Both sides are just two points off the sixth placed Club, ironically Cardiff City and a win today by either side could mean a top six play-offs position.
The Swans will certainly be keen to get above their local rivals and the Clarets keen to get closer to their local rivals, 3rd placed Preston with the two sides playing each other at Turf Moor next Saturday.
The Clarets of course have just hit form at the right time after a poor start and will be hoping that form continues after back to back victories against Nottingham Forest away then a home win against local rivals, Blackpool in midweek. League 1 Champions, Swansea played out a 1-1 draw against a resurrected Derby in their last home game after an away defeat to Crystal Palace. The Clarets therefore at the moment seem to have the edge in form.
There has been no news of any Clarets injuries this week so Owen Coyle looks to be able to select the same sixteen as the last two games with Chris Eagles sitting out the third of his three match suspension today following his red card against Plymouth at Turf Moor.
Come on you Clarets! Let`s continue the climb up the table and build up our confidence ahead of that next league game against local rivals, Preston at Turf Moor a week today.
Predicted Team Sheet
Chris Eagles is suspended but other than that Owen Coyle has a full squad to choose from and is likely to select the same sixteen for the third time running as we seek our third victory in succession.
Jensen, Jordan, Carlisle, Caldwell, Anderson, Alexander, Elliott, McCann, McDonald, Paterson, Thompson
Subs: Penny, Gudjonsson, Mahon, Blake, Akinbiyi
Swansea City Team News:
Swansea City manager Roberto Martinez looks set to continue with the same sixteen as recent games with no injuries to report.Jason Scotland is expected to play in the lone striker role in a 4-5-1 formation.
Player to watch: Jason Scotland
The 29 year old Trindad & Tobago International striker is well known to Owen Coyle having played with him at Dundee United and having managed the player at St Johnstone. He has a habit of scoring a goal in every two games and has so far has scored 24 goals in 46 games since joining Swansea from St Johnstone in May 2007 for just £25,000.
Burnley Team News:
No new injuries have been reported and Jordan looks set to retain his place in preference to Kalvenes as Owen Coyle selects the same sixteen for the third game running. Chris Eagles sits out the final match of his three game suspension.
Player to watch: Steve Thompson
Our new signing will be keen to get his first goal for the Clarets as he lines up against his former club, Cardiff’s bitter rivals.
Last Time We Met
It is over 10 years since we last played Swansea City and you have to go back to season 1995/96 for our last encounter. We got the double over the Swans that season beating them 3-0 at Turf Moor in August 1995 and then 4-2 at Vetch Field in December 1995.
Match Prediction:
The Clarets will hopefully continue their run of form and get their third successive win on the board. 2-1 Clarets
Next Match:
A little matter of the third round of the Carling Cup at Turf Moor this Tuesday night (23rd September) with Premier League side, Fulham the vistors. The big one follows that with our local rivals, Preston coming to Turf Moor on Saturday 27th September
