Burnley and Huddersfield are arguably the two least talented teams in this season’s Premier League. Both are struggling currently as they sit in the relegation zone. Huddersfield are propping up the table with 10 points from 40 secured.
Burnley are five points better off and only in the bottom three thanks to goal difference. Wednesday’s fixture at the John Smith’s Stadium is a massive six-point match. A win for Huddersfield would see them inch closer to survival. A Burnley victory would see them have the opportunity to leapfrog Southampton in the standings. This fixture will have a direct effect on which team – if either – survives the Premier League season.
Sean Dyche’s side shocked the Premier League over the weekend with a 2-0 home win over West Ham. It ended a three-match losing streak. Meanwhile, Huddersfield have lost seven straight games. The Terriers have been outscored 13-4 during that run of losses.
David Wagner’s team has failed to find the back of the net with regularity scoring just 12 goals this term. It is the league’s fewest goals. Defensively, Huddersfield have been slightly better. They have allowed 35 scores, the sixth most. Burnley, on the other hand, have allowed the second most goals with 41.
The previous game between the two relegation strugglers ended in a 1-1 draw. Burnley’s Sam Vokes opened up the scoring only for Huddersfield’s Christopher Schindler to level the score in the second half. Huddersfield have had a woeful time against Burnley in their last six meetings. The Terriers have not won a game during that time span as Burnley have been victorious three times. Three of the six meetings have ended in draws.
In 2017, the two historic English clubs met for the first time in the Premier League. Three matches have been played between the sides and goals have been hard to come by. All three Premier League matches have finished in draws with just two goals being scored.
Burnley will most likelywithout injured duo Robbie Brady and Steven Defour. The pair has been out for some time now, but were hoped to return by the end of 2018. Dyche made a huge personnel decision over the weekend and that was to drop goalkeeper Joe Hart for Tom Heaton. The veteran goalie kept a clean sheet and now Hart’s career in the Premier League is being questioned.
For the first time this season, it seems Burnley have some momentum. The Clarets will pick up a second straight victory as they collect a massive three points away from home. Heaton will get a second straight clean sheet as Dyche’s personnel move pays off again.