Nottingham Forest are the visitors to Turf Moor on Saturday with their bitter rivals, Derby County trying their luck the following Saturday. Both are in the top six and chasing the Clarets with an eye on an automatic promotion spot. Points are therefore vital for the Clarets in these two massive defining games coming up!
The Pre-amble:
The Clarets have had a pretty good week consolidating their position in second place following a point away to Bournemouth in a 1-1 draw last Saturday. The week has been more about the other clubs chasing for automatic promotion dropping points allowing Burnley some breathing space. QPR lost 3-1 at home to Reading on Sunday and although Derby County beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 at Hillsborough in midweek, Nottingham Forest fought out a 1-1 draw at home to league leaders, Leicester City on Wednesday night to give Burnley a perfect result. The end result is that the Clarets stay in second spot now eight points behind the Foxes having played the same number of games. Burnley have 60 points from 31 games and that is now four points clear of QPR who also still have a game in hand. The Rs dropped to fourth following Derby`s win on Tuesday night and the Rams are now just two points behind the Clarets having now also played the same number of games. We play Derby a week on Saturday at Turf Moor but first we face their local rivals, Nottingham Forest at home this Saturday. Six points from the next two home games really would put some clear blue water between Burnley and the chasing pack and also put pressure on Leicester City who we still have to play at home.
Nottingham Forest are currently in fifth spot five points behind the Clarets so even victory for them on Saturday would not allow them to go above the Clarets into that coveted second automatic place. Indeed only Derby could overtake the Clarets on Saturday if we lose and Derby beat AFC Bournemouth at Pride Park. A point and preferably three will be vital for the Clarets if we want to keep the momentum going and avoid some of the pressure against the Rams the following Saturday. Our goal difference is worth a one point advantage in itself. We currently have the second best in the Championship on plus 22, two better than Forest, three better than Derby and nine better than QPR. Only Leicester can boast a better goal difference with plus 24. These are certainly then two massive games for the Clarets coming up with two results that could ultimately define our season and chances of automatic promotion!
Forest manager Billy Davies will not be relishing a visit to Turf Moor on Saturday but this too will not be easy for the Clarets. Burnley undefeated at home this season in the league will want to keep that proud record intact and indeed Sean Dyche and his side cannot really afford any slip ups with such a hard-fought battle in progress for those two automatic promotion spots. Forest have not lost in the Championship since the 2-3 defeat at home to Reading back in November and come to Turf Moor having been undefeated in 14 games with seven wins and seven draws. They were however recently defeated in a FA Cup game going down 3-1 away to League One, Sheffield United. Burnley will be hoping to further dent their seemingly impenetrable armour of late! They are certainly the in-form team to beat and victory would taste even sweeter because of that fact. Burnley have already beaten Forest 2-1 at Turf Moor this season in the Capital One Cup but a win on Saturday will be far more important. Come on you Clarets!
Burnley Team News:
Brian Stock looks set to be the only absentee from the squad having only played one game since early December after suffering with a back problem. Sean Dyche has no other injury or suspension worries and looks set to name the same starting eleven for the sixth game in succession.
Player to watch: Michael Kightly
Kightly does need to start impressing more in games I believe and there is certainly competition for his place if he doesn`t with Arfield, Wallace, Stanislas and Treacy all available to play on the flanks. He would benefit by scoring a goal or two as well to boost his confidence. Scott Arfield for example has contributed five goals so far this season and Keith Treacy a couple. Kightly came to Turf Moor with a reputation for scoring goals despite being a winger but so far he has only notched up one goal and seems to blow ‘hot and cold`. Let`s hope he can add to his tally on Saturday.
Nottingham Forest Team News:
To say Forest have a bit of an injury crisis is an understatement to say the least! Chris Cohen, Jack Hobbs, Kelvin Wilson, Eric Lichaj, Henri Lansbury, David Vaughan, Guy Moussi and Dexter Blackstock are all on the treatment bench. It is thought only Eric Lichaj could be fit enough to feature against the Clarets on Saturday if he recovers from his groin problem in time. He missed the Leicester clash in midweek along with Jack Hobbs (ankle).
Player to watch: Andy Reid
Reid is such an influential player for Forest especially with so many injuries in midfield at the moment. The 31 year old Forest captain recently signed a new two-and-a-half year deal with the club and is currently their leading goal scorer with ten goals so far this season. Not bad for a midfielder! Burnley will certainly need to keep him in check. The Republic of Ireland international started his career with Forest before moving on to Tottenham Hotspur in January 2005. Spells at Charlton, Sunderland, Sheffield United (loan) and Blackpool followed before his career went full circle with a return to the City Ground in July 2011.
Team & Tactics:
Dyche is likely to name the same starting eleven for the sixth consecutive match and indeed it could be the same eighteen as the one selected for the away game at Bournemouth last Saturday. The line-up if so would be
Heaton, Trippier, Duff, Shackell, Mee, Kightly, Jones, Marney, Arfield, Vokes, Ings
Subs: Cisak, Long, Edgar, Treacy, Stanislas, Wallace, Barnes
Dyche however might think he needs more defensive options on the bench against such strong opposition and could bring back Danny Lafferty in place of one of the wingers on the bench.
Ref Watch:
Andy D’Urso will be in charge this Saturday against Nottingham Forest. The Billericay official last refereed a game involving the Clarets only last December when we played Leicester City in the King Power Stadium. The game ended 1-1 but there was a controversial penalty awarded against the Clarets that led to the Foxes goal. Two yellow cards were shown that day and in his 24 games so far this season, D`Urso has sent off seven players and flashed 69 yellow cards.
Match Prediction:
This will be one very tough game for the Clarets. A draw looks to be on the cards but I think we will shade this one 2-1. Three points would certainly relieve some of the pressure and keep Burnley well in contention for automatic promotion.
Next Match:
It`s another home game against another promotion chasing club next Saturday! Derby County are the visitors to Turf Moor on the 1st March (Kick-Off: 3pm)
