Prediction: Burnley vs Tottenham

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