Burnley FC
Sheffield United FC
Sheffield United FC
Burnley and Sheffield United go head-to-head after both suffering narrow defeats
Burnley to win 1-0
Burnley and Sheffield United were both on the received end of narrow defeats from their first matches after Christmas Day, with Leeds and Everton beating them 1-0 respectively.
Burnley had enjoyed a good run of form leading up to that match, dragging themselves out of the bottom three and looking as though they would make an assault on the teams situated above them.
Manager Sean Dyche will feel hard done by with the defeat – his side could well have had an equaliser from several of the chances they created, but in truth, they were not as good as in previous matches of late.
Sheffield United, despite keeping the game tight against Everton, suffered the same fate in falling to yet another defeat this season, taking their total to 13 from their 15 matches played.
Despite showing high work rate and a desire to improve, it is now highly unlikely that they can survive even though less than half the season has passed.
Form Guide (all comps): DWDWL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Leeds defeat was their only one in five
Home form has been much better than away
Reasons to be fearful:
Despite good recent form, only two points above relegation
Scored joint-lowest number of goals in league
For all of Burnley’s good form recently, securing two wins from their previous five matches, they remain dangerous placed on the edge of the relegation zone. Fulham sit just two points below them after the Cottagers grabbed a point against Southampton.
They were unlucky not to grab a point of their own against Leeds in their last match, which ended 1-0 to the Whites. Sean Dyche’s men had several chances of their own to score and will be frustrated they couldn’t manage it.
Burnley will be pleased that this match comes at home – they have won just a single away game from eight attempts this season, with two coming at home.
With Sheffield United’s dreadful form, Burnley will be confident of a much-needed win.
Star Man – Ashley Barnes
Is starting to find form this season – he scored in their win over Wolves and was desperately unlucky not to have his goal stand against Leeds.
Form Guide (all comps): LLLDL
Reasons to be cheerful
Came close to earning point against Everton
Oli McBurnie could return from injury to start
Reasons to be fearful
Won just one of last eight matches against Burnley
Relegation is almost inevitable now
Their match against Everton was similar to many Sheffield United have had this season, one that The Blades managed to keep tight but eventually ended up losing.
The Toffees’ 80th minute winner was enough to see Sheffield United succumb to their 13th defeat from 15 matches this season – by far the worst start to a campaign in Premier League history.
Scoring goals has been a problem for them all season, with just eight recorded – they also have the lowest shot-conversion in the league.
Burnley are unlikely to create masses of chances against United, but can The Blades create any themselves? The writing is very much on the wall now for Chris Wilder’s men – whether that makes confidence even worse, or whether it frees them up to play better, is yet to be seen.
Star Man – David McGoldrick
With five goals this season, he has more than all his teammates combined. Must get more help.
Could be a match low on quality
Burnley will be favourites playing at home
Can Sheffield United pick up their third point of the season?
With Burnley being the home side, you would expect them to set up for the win, being slightly more positive in their play.
That being said, they are not an open side and do not fashion as many chances as most teams.
Sheffield United are desperate for anything to go in their favour, but they may not get it here.
Burnley to win 1-0
