Burnley and Sheffield United are both coming off of midweek wins in the Premier League. Both clubs are aiming for a second win this week when they meet at Turf Moor on Sunday.
The Blades shocked Tottenham Hotspur at Bramall Lane in midweek 3-1 to end a three-match winless run. Chris Wilder’s team had suffered two straight heavy defeats losing 3-0 in both games. Now, with a win under their belts, Sheffield United will push for a top-six finish once more.
Burnley have won back to back games and sit seven points outside the top six. The Clarets could reach the European places but will need to go the rest of the season unbeaten and hope for the teams in front of them to drop points.
The clubs have a long history of playing each other that dates back to the EFL Championship. Burnley and Sheffield United have met 20 times over the last two decades in all competitions. However, their match played at Bramall Lane in November was the first since 2010-11.
Sheffield United rolled over Burnley at home in that fixture 3-0 thanks to two goals from John Lundstram and a third from John Fleck. The Blades were 3-0 up by the halftime break.
Burnley’s solid restart of the season comes in spite of question marks surrounding manager Sean Dyche’s future. Reports claim Dyche could leave Turf Moor due to the relationship with club chairman Mike Garlick being broken.
Dyche has been the central figure at Burnley to keep them in the division over the last few seasons. Although Burnley have had little in the way of top talent, they have regularly punched above their weight.
Turf Moor has been a difficult setting for away teams. Burnley are five matches unbeaten with two of those games ending in victories. The Clarets are +2 in goal difference at home scoring 21 times.
Sheffield United have taken 20 points from 48 on their travels. Four times this season Sheffield United have won on the road. They have claimed eight draws while losing just four times on their travels.
Dyche has seven players on the injury list. As it stands, only Ashley Barnes is ruled out of the fixture with a groin strain. Matt Lowton is expected to miss the fixture as well due to an ankle sprain. Wilder is without Lundstram, who scored twice in the reverse fixture, and Luke Freeman due to injury.
Sunday’s game at Turf Moor should be very different to the reverse match at Bramall Lane. The match at Turf Moor should end in a score draw with under 2.5 goals going into the back of the net.