Prediction: Burnley vs Leicester City

Prediction: Both teams to score – yes

Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: William Hill

Burnley welcome Leicester City to Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon for a clash that could go a long way in deciding which team secures European football next season.

There is currently six points separating the two sides in the Premier League table with a victory for the home side all-but guaranteeing them seventh place in the standings and potentially Europa League football.

Burnley

At the current time, Sean Dyche’s troops are one of the most in-form teams in the top-flight of English football. Having recently endured a run of 11 Premier League games without a win, the Clarets have now won their last four clashes against Everton, West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion and Watford. This means that they are sitting comfortably on 49 points. As a matter of fact, if results go their way this weekend, they could potentially be only one point behind Arsenal.

The recent victory against Everton at Turf Moor ended a run of six games without a win on home soil. In fact, the Lancashire outfit have not been as strong this campaign on home soil in comparison to last year. They have only scored 12 goals all season at home which is the lowest in the Premier League, a fact that will encourage Leicester. Having only conceded 12 though, it is clearly their defence that stars. One crumb of comfort for Leicester is that Burnley have only kept one clean sheet in their last 12 games in all competitions.

Team News

Burnley skipper Ben Mee has been ruled out for the game due to a shin injury. Long-term absentees, Stephen Defour, Robbie Brady, Scott Arfield and Jonathan Walters all remain ruled out. However, Georges-Kevin N’Koudou and Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson will be subjected to late fitness tests.

Ashley Barnes is surely set to lead Burnley’s attack after scoring four goals in his last five Premier League games. Ex-Leicester City striker Chris Wood will also be keen to score against his former employers.

Leicester City

In comparison to the Clarets, Claude Puel’s Leicester come into the clash in slightly indifferent form. The Foxes lost their last Premier League match 2-1 at home against relegation-threatened Newcastle United. This means that the former champions have only won two out of their last eight games in all competitions and the pressure is starting to mount on Puel.

Their form against opponents above them should encourage the Clarets going into the game. Of Leicester’s last 11 games against the current top-seven, they have only managed to claim eight points. In that time, they have only taken two wins, those coming against this weekend’s opponents Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur. However, the East-Midlanders have won their last two games away from the King Power Stadium, first a 4-1 win over West Bromwich Albion and the most recent being a 2-0 win at the Amex Stadium against Brighton and Hove Albion. In all, they have taken maximum points on five separate occasions away from home, a huge improvement on last year’s total of only two wins.

Team News

Puel has very limited options in midfield due to injury this weekend. Vicente Iborra went off injured against Newcastle United, so the Frenchman can only call on Adrien Silva and youngster Hamza Choudhury.  Matty James and Daniel Amartey continue to be ruled out due to an Achilles and hamstring injury respectively.

Jamie Vardy heads into this clash in red-hot form having scored seven goals in his last nine league games so will surely spearhead the Foxes’ attack.

Key Facts To Consider

• Burnley have the better all-time record between the two (W44, D30, L35)
• Leicester won the first clash between the two this season 1-0
• The Foxes have only lost one out of their last 12 games against the Clarets
• Leicester have only conceded three goals in their last five Premier League games against Burnley
• Both sides have scored in only six out of the last 27 games between the two sides

Conclusion

This could be a huge game in the respective seasons of both Burnley and Leicester City. On one hand, you have the Clarets who have been strong all season look and are the favourites to claim seventh spot. On the other hand, you also have Leicester City, the experienced campaigners who would relish another shot at European football.

Both sides are more than capable of scoring a goal and the clash should live up to the billing with both finding the net despite recent history. Jamie Vardy should again be the man to watch out for.

Prediction: Both teams to score – yes

Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: William Hill