The Clarets will be hoping to quickly get back on track against Watford at Turf Moor on Tuesday night following defeat away to Huddersfield Town last Saturday and losing the top spot to Leicester.
The Pre-amble:
Burnley lost their place at the top of the league following only their second league defeat of the season after going down 2-1 to Huddersfield in the John Smiths Stadium last Saturday. Leicester are now three points clear of the Clarets who are in second spot ahead of QPR on goal difference. Sean Dyche will be hoping it was just a blip following an unbeaten run of 12 league games although in fact we have not actually won a game in five matches now if you also count the Capital One cup defeat at home to West Ham. We now have the chance to show good we are in bouncing back with two home games on the horizon. Struggling Barnsley are the visitors next Saturday but first we take on Dyche`s former club Watford on Tuesday night. Watford were one of the favourites for promotion at the start of the season but gaffer, Gianfranco Zola is now clearly under pressure with no win now in six games. The Hornets have picked up just two points from those six games and have dropped to tenth in the table on 23 points, four points behind the play-offs and twelve points behind the Clarets. Their confidence could now be shattered too after losing 3-0 at home to bottom club, Yeovil on Saturday. Zola`s job could well be on the line especially if the Clarets further damage his position by winning convincingly on Tuesday night. If we do what must Hornets fans be thinking considering their club got rid of Sean Dyche?
Burnley Team News:
Burnley fans will be sweating over news that Danny Ings could be out after picking up an ankle knock in the Huddersfield game on Saturday. News is also awaited on Dean Marney. The midfielder has missed the last two games with a troublesome groin injury. If still not fit David Edgar and Brian Stock could be fighting it out for a start against the Hornets. Ross Wallace is also still sidelined until probably January following his surgery a few months back to correct a ‘wear and tear` injury in his knee. Michael Duff was sent off in added time against Huddersfield last Saturday for a second bookable offence and will now miss the Watford clash. Kevin long looks set to take his place.
Player to watch: Kevin Long
With Duff out suspended after being sent off last Saturday, all eyes will now be on Kevin Long in the centre of defence. His performance could be crucial in ensuring the Clarets can secure victory and if he plays well enough, he could give Duff a run for his money against Barnsley on Saturday.
Watford Team News:
Zola has numerous injury concerns. Watford trio on loan midfielder, Josh McEachran (ill), keeper, Manuel Almunia (also ill) and defender, Gabriele Angella (thigh) could all be sidelined whilst Lloyd Doyley (hamstring), Essaid Belkalem (ankle), Ikechi Anya (calf), Tommie Hoban (ankle) and Almen Abdi (long-term foot injury) are all definitely out.
Player to watch: Troy Deeney
25 year old striker, Troy Deeney is Watford`s leading goal scorer this season having notched up seven goals. He signed for Watford in August 2010 from Walsall for an initial fee of £250,000 rising up to £500,000 after agreeing a two-year contract. In March 2013 Deeney signed a new contract with Watford keeping him at the club until 2016. So far he has scored 39 goals in 134 appearances for the Hornets.
Team & Tactics:
We just have to hope Danny Ings recovers in time because unless we change tactics to 4-5-1 the only option is to start Noble upfront alongside Vokes. The starting eleven could also hinge or whether Marney is fit enough to play but if not Edgar disappointed in the centre midfield role against Huddersfield on Saturday and was replaced at half-time by Brian Stock. Stock could be the likely favourite to stand in for Marney if unfit. The eighteen could look something like this:
Heaton, Trippier, Shackell, Long, Mee, Kightly, Stock (or Marney if fit), Jones, Arfield, Ings (or Noble), Vokes
Subs: Cisak, Edgar, Lafferty, Hewitt, Stanislas, Treacy, Noble (or ???)
Ref Watch:
Michael Naylor is in charge of this one. His last game involving the Clarets was the 1-0 home defeat, against Leicester last season in the final match of 2012. Five yellow cards were shown that day. The South Yorkshire referee has sent just one player off in his 14 games so far this season with another 25 seeing yellow.
Match Prediction:
Nothing like bouncing back in style! 3-0 Clarets! I am hoping for more to be honest but erring on the cautious side.
Next Match:
Barnsley who are currently bottom of the Championship are the visitors to Turf Moor on Saturday 7th December (Kick-Off: 3 pm)
