Burnley and Sheffield United will meet on Thursday night at Turf Moor in an all-Premier League Carabao Cup tie. The Premier League rivals will hope to get a leg up on the other and gain safe passage to round No. 3.
Neither club did well in the Carabao Cup last term and both went out at the hands of EFL League One side Sunderland. Burnley fell at the first hurdle a season ago at home as Sunderland claimed a 3-1 win.
Sheffield United won in the third round against Blackburn Rovers, 2-1, but fell to defeat in round three at the hands of Sunderland 1-0.
The Blades kicked off their Premier League season on Monday night, losing to Wolverhampton Wanderers, 2-0. The same problems Chris Wilder experienced last season came back to roost for Sheffield United on matchday 1.
Sheffield United simply do not have a Premier League-quality, consistent goalscorer. The defence is still good, in spite of allowing two goals at home.
Burnley had their season opener postponed. They had been slated to play Manchester United on opening weekend, but due to the Red Devils’ Europa League exploits in August, the game was pushed back.
Sheffield United’s season opener should give them a better level of fitness for the game on Thursday night at Turf Moor.
Burnley have played three preseason games, going undefeated, but those games versus Preston North End, Hearts, and Maritimo, did not have the competitive level as this week’s cup fixture.
The game could be used by both managers as a way to get their teams up to speed in terms of fitness. The preseason was affected by the pandemic and left teams with a lack of preparation games.
A cup fixture lodged in between Premier League matches could be beneficial. The winner of Thursday night’s match will book a place in the third round versus Millwall at the Den.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche with be without three players for the fixture. Jack Cork, Ben Mee, and Ashley Barnes are all three recovering from their respective injuries ahead of the game. Sheffield United will be without Lys Mousset and Simon Moore.
Sheffield United claimed a win and draw versus Burnley in the Premier League last term. They should move to three games unbeaten against Burnley with a single goal separating the two teams.
THE PRESS | The Gaffer has been giving his thoughts on @SheffieldUnited and Thursday night's clash in the @Carabao_Cup 🎙💬WATCH ➡️ https://t.co/cZOWqk2kGT pic.twitter.com/8aipo1K27x— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) September 15, 2020
THE PRESS | The Gaffer has been giving his thoughts on @SheffieldUnited and Thursday night's clash in the @Carabao_Cup 🎙💬WATCH ➡️ https://t.co/cZOWqk2kGT pic.twitter.com/8aipo1K27x
Their game at Turf Moor in 2019-20 finished 1-1. This time, expect the Blades to get a full-time win with under 2.5 goals scored. The Blades defence should keep a clean sheet.