Burnley host Newcastle at Turf Moor with both clubs in desperate need of all three points. The two Premier League rivals are level on nine points currently and Monday night’s game is a six-point affair. Newcastle do sit one place higher in the table thanks to a better goal difference.
Neither team has found the back of the net with regularity this term with Burnley scoring 12 times and Newcastle tallying nine – the fourth fewest goals in the Premier League.
Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle are coming into the fixture in form. The Magpies have won their last two matches defeating Watford (1-0) and Bournemouth (2-1). The wins have given Newcastle a major shot in the arm and could spurn them on to Premier League survival. Striker Salomon Rondon scored twice in Newcastle’s victory against Bournemouth. They were his first two goals of the season, but the striker will hope it is a sign of more to come.
Reports in the English press are currently speculating that Benitez has little time left at Newcastle. The fans want Benitez to remain in charge, but Newcastle owner Mike Ashley isn’t supporting the manager’s recruitment. Newcastle’s squad is gaining points thanks to the manager’s works despite looking more like a Championship team.
Burnley have struggled this season and it is easy to see why. Sean Dyche’s club began the season in the Europa League qualifying stages, exerting themselves in the summer when most Premier League sides were in preseason. It took a toll and Burnley went winless in their opening five fixtures. Just two wins from their last seven games has followed and relegation is a possibility for The Clarets. Burnley have conceded the second most goals in the Premier League (25)
Dyche has failed to get his team to fire at home. Burnley have recorded four points from 15 possible at Turf Moor. It is the fourth lowest figure in the league. They have registered a –4-goal difference during the five-game period. However, Newcastle haven’t been great on the road as they haven’t won away from St. James’ Park all season. The good news is they have only conceded three times in five games away from home. Benitez makes Newcastle hard to beat on their travels and Burnley’s lack of fire power will have difficulty breaking through the manager’s defensive tactics.
Three of the last four meetings between Burnley and Newcastle have ended in draws. Dyche’s side has won on one occasion with that win coming at Turf Moor. Despite winning at home last time the sides met, Newcastle are in better form, but they don’t travel well. This fixture will end in a draw with the clubs sharing the points. A draw isn’t a bad result for either team as they continue to find consistency in the fight against relegation.