Burnley FC
Fulham FC
Fulham FC
Fulham aim to close gap to Burnley and safety after Covid-19 camp outbreak
Burnley to win 1-0
This week, Burnley supporters finally heard the good news that the takeover of their football club has finally gone through after months of negotiations. This should provide the club with much-needed funds to buy additional players, as well as a boost of confidence that comes with being discussed positively in the news.
On the field, their team are making the right noises too, having won three of their last five matches to move a little more comfortably out of the relegation battle.
There are only two places between them are their opponents Fulham, but five points gap is quite a cushion near the bottom.
Fulham continue to flirt with life outside of the bottom three, with just two points separating them and next-placed team Brighton. They are without defeat in four matches but chasing only their third win of the season.
This will be a typically tight match, but one which could have great consequences for the table.
Form Guide (all comps): WDWLW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Club are secured financially
10 points from 15 available is great form
Reasons to be fearful:
Have a lengthy list of injuries
Are still struggling to score goals
It’s incredible how a positive event off the field can produce good performances and eventually results on it.
The purchase of Burnley football club by American investors secures the future of the team, both on the field and off it, and could have an instant effect on players’ confidence. New recruits are sure to follow in the January transfer window, but those already at the club may feel an incentive to improve their performances.
Burnley have certainly done so in recent weeks, dragging themselves out of the bottom three with a string of positive results which includes three wins in the last five and just one defeat in six.
They are still struggling to score goals, however. With just nine netted in the league this season, they have struggled to really put teams to bed. Chris Wood is their only player to score more than once in the league this season.
Fulham have been tight at the back recently, so will need to create better chances here.
Star Man – Ben Mee
Has been imperial since he and Tarkowski returned from injury – Burnley have benefitted greatly from a terrific defensive partnership.
Form Guide (all comps): LDDDD
Reasons to be cheerful
Four draws on the bounce against tough sides
Have scored more than Burnley
Reasons to be fearful
Can’t seem to claim the victory they need to take them out of bottom three
Haven’t beaten Burnley away since 1951 (30 meetings)
Fulham, like their opponents, have also tightened up at the back in recent weeks.
They have lost just one of their last six matches, having previously lost seven of their previous nine. Goals have been prevented to a greater extent also, conceding just two from their last four matches, all of which have ended as draws.
Scott Parker’s men have not climbed out of the bottom three for any great period of time, but by keeping things tight at the back, they have given themselves a fighting chance of doing so eventually - they have a game in hand, of course.
They must deal with a recent outbreak of positive coronavirus tests in their camp, and one or two unspecified players are likely to miss out here.
Star Man – Ademola Lookman
Was involved in half of Fulham’s efforts on goal against Southampton – he is a real chance-creator at the club.
A tight game of few chances
Both defences to frustrate their opponents’ attackers
Burnley slight favourites based on form
Burnley have the chance to open up an eight point gap between them and the bottom three with a win here, but know they must play a lot better going forward than they have for much of the season.
They have a number of injury concerns, including Taylor, McNeil, Vydra and Rodriguez, but will still fancy their chances with the players they have.
Fulham can keep things tight, but can they shake off the shackles going forward?
Burnley to win 1-0
