Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Championship clash between Burnley and Swansea City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Burnley play host to Swansea City on Sunday afternoon under pressure to get back on track after a poor run of form.
At a time when the Clarets sit in fourth position in the Championship table, the visitors have recently moved into ninth place.
Match preview
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With the talent at his disposal, there was every expectation that Scott Parker would spearhead a certain automatic promotion charge with Burnley.
However, since the Clarets scoring nine times in their opening two matches, they have been nothing short of abysmal in the final third, netting just eight times in the following 12 games.
A third game without troubling the scoresheet occurred on Thursday evening as they posted a goalless draw at the home of West Bromwich Albion.
There was little surprise that a battle between sides boasting two of the best defensive records in the division should end that way, yet it ramped the pressure on Parker now that just two victories have come from eight matches.
On a positive note, Burnley remain unbeaten at Turf Moor, earning 12 points from their six matches and conceding just the two goals.
As far as Swansea are concerned, Luke Williams has been able to breathe a sigh of relief after a six-game winless streak was ended by back-to-back victories.
After posting a 2-1 triumph at Oxford United, Swansea were able to fight their way to a 1-0 success over seventh-placed Watford in midweek.
Swansea’s lack of goals remain a problem with the Welsh outfit having failed to net more than twice in a single league game since August 17.
Nevertheless, Williams’ team now sit just five points adrift of their upcoming opponents, highlighting how far they could catapult themselves up the standings with a win in the North-West.
Burnley Championship form:
Swansea City Championship form:
Team News
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Depending on whether Parker wishes to introduce fresh legs into the team, he could select a similar Burnley XI from the game at The Hawthorns.
Josh Laurent may be brought back into the team as a replacement for one of the creative midfielders, potentially Luca Koleosho with Jeremy Sarmiento switching to the flank.
Of the injured contingent, Manuel Benson and Mike Tresor appear the closest to making a return before the international break.
The longer recovery period may tempt Williams into selecting the same Swansea starting lineup from the win over Watford.
Andy Fisher, Josh Ginnelly and Eom Ji-sung all remain on the sidelines for this contest.
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Pires; Brownhill, Cullen; Anthony, Laurent, Sarmiento; Flemming
Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Vigouroux; Key, Cabango, Darling, Naughton; Grimes, Franco; Peart-Harris, Cullen, Ronald; Vipotnik
We say: Burnley 2-1 Swansea City
This has all the makings of a competitive fixture now that Swansea have found some form at the same time as Burnley have lost their way. Nevertheless, Parker is aware that he must change something to instigate a turnaround, which may lead to a late victory at Turf Moor.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.