The second round of the EFL Cup dishes up an all-Premier League clash on Wednesday, with Newcastle United hosting Burnley at St. James’ Park.
It’s fair to say that neither side has made a positive start to the 2021/22 season, having both lost their opening two matches.
📺 Steve Bruce on #AVLNEW.— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 21, 2021
📺 Steve Bruce on #AVLNEW.
Newcastle kicked off their campaign with a hefty home defeat to West Ham United, losing 4-2 on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Despite taking the lead on two occasions, Steve Bruce’s men conceded three second-half goals and failed to find a response.
In their previous outing, the Magpies were beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa. They only managed one shot on target at Villa Park, facing ten attempts from the hosts.
Newcastle enjoyed a positive run of pre-season friendlies, picking up three wins and a draw in the lead-up to the new campaign.
However, they have struggled to find their feet this term and look set for another difficult season under Bruce.
Burnley, on the other hand, were beaten 2-1 by Brighton on the opening weekend of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign.
Despite taking the lead inside two minutes, Sean Dyche’s men saw just 35% possession against the Seagulls and were made to pay for their inferiority.
The Clarets then suffered a 2-0 loss to Liverpool last weekend, conceding either side of half-time at Anfield.
Dyche’s side only managed 33% possession against the Reds, although they did notch nine shots – three of which were on target.
It is worth remembering that seventeenth-place Burnley finished six points behind twelfth-place Newcastle in the Premier League last term.
Head-to-head: Newcastle did the league double over Burnley last season, picking up a 3-1 victory at home before winning 2-1 at Turf Moor.
Burnley have only managed to win one of their previous seven meetings with the Magpies, recording four losses and two draws along the way.
It is also worth pointing out that six of the last ten games between Newcastle and Burnley have produced under 2.5 goals.
When you consider that statistic, the two sides are likely to produce a low-scoring affair at St. James’ Park.
Team news: Newcastle currently have goalkeepers Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow out injured, meaning Freddie Woodman is expected to keep his place between the sticks.
As for Burnley, they will be without injured duo Kevin Long and Dale Stephens on Wednesday. Matej Vydra and Ashley Westwood are also doubts.
Given the recent low-scoring encounters between Newcastle and Burnley, Wednesday’s clash isn’t likely to dish up too many goals.
In fact, Forebet predicts that Newcastle and Burnley will play out a goalless draw inside 90 minutes on Tyneside.