Verdict: Burnley win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Luckster
Hoping to find a route back into the automatic promotion spots, Burnley will welcome Oxford United to Turf Moor on Tuesday night.
Burnley
Starting with the hosts, while Burnley might have lost their Premier League status last season, the Clarets have their sights firmly set on booking an immediate top-flight return. However, despite being forced to settle for a single point in three of their previous four Championship appearances, Scott Parker’s men are sat within touching distance of finding a route back into the automatic promotion spots. Storming their way to a 5-0 romp against Plymouth last month, Burnley have certainly gained a real reputation for their extended defensive steel. Along with conceding just nine Championship goals so far this season, Tuesday’s hosts have remarkably recorded eight consecutive clean sheets against second-tier opposition. Likewise, Parker’s side have conceded just a single strike at Turf Moor since back on December 6th.
Burnley Team News
Still dealing with a long-term knee injury and not making a single appearance so far this season, former Aston Villa starlet Aaron Ramsey remains on the sidelines. Likewise, ex-Southampton star Nathan Redmond will once again miss out on Tuesday night.
Notching five Championship goals since opening the New Year, Dutch striker Zian Flemming will lead the line at Turf Moor. Former Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri could make a first start of 2025 here.
Oxford United
As for the visitors, although Oxford United might have opened the New Year at the heart of a relegation scrap, Gary Rowett’s men have enjoyed a real turn in fortunes. Despite eventually being forced to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Bristol City over the weekend, the Yellows are unbeaten in each of their previous nine consecutive Championship appearances. Skyrocketing their way up the standings, the former Millwall boss should find the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Signing off 2024 with a 2-0 victory against Plymouth, Oxford will be desperate to collect a heavyweight scalp on Tuesday night. However, pencilled in as a real underdog in Lancashire, it should be noted that Rowett’s side have recorded just a single Championship win away from the Kassam Stadium so far this season.
Oxford United Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Oxford will once again be without the quartet of Max Woltman, Benjamin Nelson, Elliot Moore and former Portsmouth striker Owen Dale. Arriving on a free transfer last summer, Scotland international Matt Phillips could be handed a full recall.
Making a real impact after arriving from Huddersfield during the January transfer window, Polish defender Michal Helik will once again parter Ciaron Brown at the heart of Rowett’s defence at Turf Moor.
Burnley vs Oxford United Key Factors to Consider
- When Burnley and Oxford United met for their reverse Championship showdown on September 28th, Tuesday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate at the Kassam Stadium.
- Burnley have remarkably conceded just nine Championship goals in their 30 appearances so far this season.
- Likewise, the Clarets have recorded eight consecutive clean sheets against Championship opposition.
- Oxford are remarkably unbeaten in each of their previous nine consecutive Championship appearances.
- However, the Yellows have recorded just a single Championship victory on their travels so far this season.
Conclusion
Looking to skyrocket their way back into the automatic promotion spots, Burnley will know the importance of avoiding a potential banana skin on Tuesday night. While Parker’s side might have been forced to settle for a single point in three of their previous four Championship appearances, the midweek hosts have certainly gained a fearsome reputation for their defensive steel. Recording eight consecutive clean sheets, they will be desperate to end Oxford’s remarkable turn in fortunes. Although the Yellows might not have suffered a single Championship defeat since opening the New Year, we are backing a home victory in midweek.
Verdict: Burnley win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Luckster
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