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Burnley will be looking to continue their Premier League resurgence as they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The Clarets have won their last two games in the top flight, with a 3-0 victory over Brighton on the South Coast before defeating Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night, an even more impressive result considering that Spurs had beaten reigning champions Manchester City just four days prior.
Palace ended a streak of six league games without a win as they defeated Watford during the week, with Wilfried Zaha’s brace against the Hornets being a particular highlight. The result now sees them sit just three points outside the top half.
A win for Sean Dyche’s side would be crucial in their quest for Premier League survival, whereas victory for Patrick Vieira’s men will see them continue their impressive season so far.
Burnley battling for survival
Burnley were winless in their opening nine games of the league season, picking up their first victory at the end of October against Brentford. They had to wait another 11 games for their second win of the season, against the Seagulls last weekend.
They currently sit 18th in the table and two points behind Newcastle United, with a game in hand over the Magpies, as well as having the lowest amount of wins out of all 20 teams, with three.
Jay Rodriguez and Maxwel Cornet are the side’s top scorers with six a piece, and Ben Mee comes in at third with three thanks to his headed goal against Spurs on Wednesday. It is clear to see that whilst they aren’t the lowest scorers in the top flight, they do struggle to find the net.
However their fortunes could change thanks to the January transfer window arrival of Wout Weghorst, who they signed from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg. He has already netted once and assisted twice for the Clarets, and the 29-year-old could be their saviour come the end of the season.
Their sole focus for the rest of the campaign is to remain in the Premier League for next year, having already been knocked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup by Huddersfield Town and Spurs respectively.
Dyche’s side are unbeaten in their past four meetings against the Eagles, winning three games during that time. However they have only won once on the road all season, and Saturday’s game could prove to be difficult as they come up against a talented and exciting Palace side.
Promising Palace aiming for top half
The Eagles got back to winning ways in the league with their victory against Watford on Wednesday, having failed to do so in their last six. Goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta, Conor Gallagher and Zaha were enough to secure a rampant win on the road.
Palace’s form has fluctuated throughout the season having once gone on a seven game unbeaten run from September to November before losing three games in a row, all by one goal margins. They only have six league wins to their name, but their 11 draws so far could be crucial points as they look to end the season in a respectable position.
Vieira’s side have an abundance of young talent in their squad. Michael Olise was signed from Championship side Reading in the summer and already has six goal contributions in the Premier League in the 20-year-old’s debut season. Eberechi Eze shined in the previous campaign, but an early season injury has stuttered his progress.
Gallagher, on loan from Chelsea, has arguably been their best player so far. His eight goals and five assists mean he is the side’s top goal contributor, impressive numbers from a player operating at the heart of their midfield.
Zaha, who at 29-years-old is now one of the club’s senior players, has been in fine form as of late with three goals in his last four appearances after his return from the African Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast. He also four goals and two assists in 15 meetings against Burnley.
Amongst their strong showings in the league Palace are still alive and well in the FA Cup, and a favoured tie against Championship outfit Stoke City on Tuesday could see them progress to the quarter-finals.
Burnley will be fired up from their recent success and victory in south London would see them win three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since the latter stages of the 18/19 campaign.
The hosts know a win against their visitors won’t be easy, but three points for Palace would see them break into the top half of the league if Southampton lose to Norwich City on Friday evening.
A 3-3 draw was the outcome of their previous meeting earlier in the season, with five of the goals coming in the first half as the Clarets fought back to earn a point.
Saturday’s game at Selhurst Park is one of four 15:00 kick offs in the top flight as the Premier League sides edge towards their latter and crucial weeks of the season.
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