Struggling Burnley host Leicester with Clarets desperate for victory

Sean Dyche’s Burnley host Leicester at Turf Moor as the home side look to stop a run of four consecutive league defeats.

Both sides have had a bad run of form recently with the hosts unable to get a win last time out. The Clarets were beaten 3-0 by Chelsea and were simply outclassed by the top four outfit.

Leicester were beaten 2-1 by Southampton. In what appeared to be a complete domination from the Saints, the game looked nothing like the reverse fixture between the sides when Leicester beat Southampton 9-0. Dennis Praet opened the scoring for Leicester with Stuart Armstrong equalising five minutes after for the Saints. Danny Ings’ goal in the 81st minute rounded off a fantastic display by the Saints.

Team news

Burnley striker Ashley Barnes, who has missed the Clarets’ last two games, needs a hernia operation and faces a spell on the sidelines.

Chris Wood is available despite breaking his nose at Chelsea, while Jay Rodriguez and Robbie Brady are back in contention following lay-offs.

Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi remains out with a knee problem.

The Foxes will monitor defender Wes Morgan, who been absent for the last two matches because of a groin injury.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche wanted his players to find the freedom to play despite their poor form of late:

“We have had injuries and illness and it’s not ideal, but I still expect a lot from my players and I thought the starting 11 we put out today could compete.

“We’re in a tough period at the minute and we just need to free the group up a bit.

“Nobody is quite playing with that fluidity and anticipating the game. That’s from tightness and not getting results and it’s not easy.

“We have to come out of that because it’s a vicious circle.

“You have to free yourself up and be confident enough to go and win a game, but equally you could argue that wins bring that confidence.

“It’s the chicken and egg scenario and this is the reality of the Premier League.”

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers says Wilfred Ndidi has made ‘great progress’ since undergoing a slight operation last week:

“Wes has been out, and he’s been back on training field, so we’ll assess him tomorrow to see if he’s okay for the weekend.

“Wilfred Ndidi has made great progress, he’s out on training pitch working, which is great news for us, but he won’t be available for the weekend. We’ll see after that.

“I think it’s just one game at a time,” he said of City’s fixture schedule. “When they’re so close together, over the Christmas period, you really have to consider it (team rotation) and that’s what we did.”

Head-to-head

Burnley have won two of their nine Premier League games against Leicester City, both at home. Leicester could earn three consecutive league victories against the Clarets for the first time 1906, when the club were still known as Leicester Fosse.