Verdict: Burnley win

Hoping to extend on what has been a glittering run of form over the past month, Burnley will look to keep themselves in the European race when they host a struggling Tottenham on Saturday evening.

Burnley

Starting with the hosts, while Burnley’s boss Sean Dyche may have been disappointed by his side’s display on the road last week, the Clarets managed to extend their remarkable unbeaten run at St. James’ Park. Playing out a 0-0 draw in the North East, the Clarets have continued on what is now a six-match Premier League unbeaten run and the mood in their camp remains at a season-high. Yet to taste defeat in the top-flight since the 11th of January, Dyche’s side open the weekend fixtures in ninth and knowing that three more points on Saturday could see them move within a single point of the top-six. Hoping to land their second European finish in the last three seasons this year, there is no doubt that the Clarets will still be boosted by their eye-catching back-to-back victories against Leicester and Manchester United back in January. Collecting 14 points out of a possible 18 on their unbeaten run, Dyche will also be growing more impressed by his side’s continued performances at the back. Recording another clean sheet on the road last weekend, Saturday’s hosts have now shipped just a single goal in their last five Premier League appearances.

Team News

Burnley manager Sean Dyche remains without Ashley Barnes, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, and Matt Lowton.

All three players are closing in on a return, but this match comes too soon.

Tottenham

As for the visitors, while the mood in Burnley’s camp might be on the rise, Tottenham find themselves in the midst of what is becoming a real struggle. Crashing out of the FA Cup thanks to a penalties defeat against rock-bottom Norwich in North London on Wednesday night, Jose Mourinho’s side have now lost their last four consecutive matches across all competitions, their worst run since appointing the former Manchester United boss back in November. Along with watching German outfit RB Leipzig grab what could be a crucial away goal in their 1-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Lilywhites also watched fellow European hopefuls Wolves come from behind to grab a 3-2 win in Noth London last weekend. With their top-four ambitions taking another dent and still dealing with some of their biggest stars sat on the sidelines, Mourinho will undoubtedly be most concerned by his side’s continued issues at the back. With no side in the top half of the Premier League table holding a worse-defensive record than Saturday’s guests, Spurs have failed to record a clean sheet in their last six matches on the bounce and have also managed to land just a sole top-flight clean sheet on the road all season.

Team News

Despite his public bust-up with a fan after Wednesday’s FA Cup defeat against Norwich, midfielder Eric Dier is once again set to feature at Turf Moor.

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is back in training after a groin strain, but Harry Kane, Moussa Sissoko, and Son Heung-min are still out.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off earlier in the season, Spurs picked up a 5-0 win in North London.
• However, Tottenham were hit with a 2-1 defeat when they last made the trip to Turf Moor.
• Burnley are unbeaten in their last six Premier League matchups, winning four of those contests.
• Tottenham have managed to land just a sole Premier League clean sheet on the road since opening the 2019/2020 campaign.
• The Clarets have conceded just a single goal in their last five matches on the bounce.

Conclusion

On paper, there is no doubt that Burnley should see Saturday as a real opportunity to make another statement and move within touching distance of the European spots. Enjoying what has been a stunning six-match Premier League unbeaten run, including back-to-back wins over Leicester and Manchester United, Sean Dyche’s side should be confident of cashing in on a Spurs side in the midst of a real rut. Crashing out of the FA Cup against rock-bottom Norwich in midweek, the North London outfit have now lost their last four consecutive matches across all competitions, their worst run under the former Manchester United boss. Picking up a 2-1 win the last time Tottenham visited Turf Moor, we’re backing another shock Burnley victory on Saturday evening.

Verdict: Burnley win