Burnley v Southampton Match Preview
The first home game of the post Dyche era sees Burnley welcome the Saints to Turf Moor on Thursday evening. It is the occasion for home fans to welcome Michael Jackson, the rest of his management team and the players and hopefully cheer them on to victory.
The Clarets arrive back on Turf Moor having picked up an away point at high flying West Ham in a game which they could easily have both won and lost. A welcome headed goal from Wout Weghorst gave Burnley the lead and they should have doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Cornet both won and then missed a penalty. A second half onslaught from the Hammers brought them an equalising goal but they were denied a winner by a superb display from Nick Pope.
Fellow England international Fraser Forster, who will be in the opposite goal on Thursday, was in equally fine form as the Saints dented Arsenal’s Champion League hopes with a 1-0 win at St Mary’s.
Much will be written about the departure of Sean Dyche and, whether you were a diehard Dyche fan or thought time had come for a change, the best way to honour the achievements of this great manager is to get right behind the team in their efforts to remain in the Premier League. That Burnley have had such a lengthy spell in the EPL is very much Sean’s legacy and deserves to be fought for till the very last kick of the season.
Burnley will be without Ashley Westwood who suffered a serious leg injury at the London Stadium. Josh Brownhill will deputise and there could be a recall at right back for Connor Roberts replacing Matt Lowton. Wout Weghorst who has netted twice for the Clarets on their travels will line up alongside Jay Rodriguez in attack. There would be no better time for Wout to score his first Turf Moor goal and doubtless Jay will be seeking to find the net against one of his former clubs. Southampton are likely to make few changes from the side which performed so well against Arsenal though Che Adams could return in attack to partner Chelsea loanee Armando Broja.
Kick off is at 7:45pm and the forecast is for sunny intervals with a gentle breeze. The match referee is Stuart Attwell with John Brooks on VAR. COYC!
