This will be Burnley’s fourth consecutive season in England’s top flight.
After two promising years back in the big time, The Clarets struggled last season and finished just 6 points above the relegation zone.
Despite their poor form last term, Burnley are viewed by many as a well-established Premier League club and it’s likely that the team will be looking up – as opposed to over their shoulder – this time around.
Last season
Burnley qualified for the Europa League as a result of their 7th place finish the season before. This meant that the club had to play six qualifying matches at the beginning of the last campaign which noticeably hampered their performances in the Premier League.
They picked up just one point from their opening five league matches and after struggling for consistency throughout the campaign, Burnley finished the season in 15th place.
They lost three or more matches in a row on six occasions last season and Sean Dyche will be hoping his side can rediscover the form that saw the team do so well in the 2017/18 campaign.
Next season
Despite last season’s troubles, the board and the fans continued to back the manager and his players. Their faith was eventually repaid as Dyche kept Burnley in the Premier League and everybody involved with the club will be optimistic heading into the new campaign.
With no Europa league duties to worry about, Burnley can put all their energy into the Premier League and this will significantly benefit the team. The club was renowned for their disciplined defense and strong home form in their first two seasons back amongst England’s elite. Without the distraction of European football, Burnley shouldn’t find it difficult to better last season’s 15th place finish.
Only four teams finished with a worse goal difference than Burnley last season and this highlights problems at both ends of the pitch. Jay Rodriguez has rejoined the club and is likely to add goals the team however Burnley must tighten up at the back.
Burnley will be hoping to get off to a winning start against Southampton when they open their 2019/20 account. Matches against Arsenal, Wolves and Liverpool come next and Burnley could find themselves in a similar position to last season if they fail to perform in their early fixtures.
Players in
Jay Rodriguez - £5.00m from West Bromwich Albion
Erik Pieters - £990k from Stoke City
Players out
Anders Lindegaard - Free to Helsingborg
Stephen Ward - Free to Stoke City
Aiden O’Neill – Free to Brisbane Roar
Ntumba Massanka – Released
Peter Crouch – Retired
Predicted league finish
The predicted Premier League finish for Burnley is 13th place. Burnley will be looking to reacquire the sort of form that saw them become and established Premier League side. A mid-table finish is expected.