Clarets v Blades Match Preview.
Venue: Bramall Lane, Sheffield, S2 4SU.
Kick-off – 12.30 - Saturday 5th November 2022.

After Wednesday night’s drama at Turf Moor where the Clarets scored two goals in added time to snatch three important points at the death, up next is a tricky away fixture at the home of the Blades.
It is hard to imagine this televised fixture will be able to emulate the shenanigans witnessed on Wednesday night during Burnley’s compelling home win over the Blades’ neighbours Rotherham United. Late goal drama, epic time wasting from the visitors and all the spice the Championship can provide were on view. Burnley now top the league by a clear five points from local rivals Blackburn Rovers who are coming soon to Turf Moor.

Sheffield United are six points behind the Clarets with a game in hand, making this almost a “must-win” game for the home team if they are to maintain an earnest push for promotion. The Blades come into this game on the back of two consecutive away wins at West Bromwich Albion and Bristol City.

The Blades are now managed by local Yorkshireman Paul Heckingbottom (can you get more Yorkshire than that?) but are playing somewhat inconsistently at present, winning 9 games, drawing 5 and have already recorded 4 losses. They are however, only 2 wins behind Vincent Company’s Clarets who have currently accumulated 38 points, their last 7 fixtures producing 6 wins and just 1 draw. That is promotion winning form in anyone’s book.

One’s to watch: Travelling Clarets Burnley fans should expect to see a bruising encounter from an in-your-face Blades outfit led by striking pair Oliver McBurnie and Iliman Ndiaye.

It is hard to argue the Clarets undeniably have one of the strongest squads in the Championship and loan striker Halil Dervisoglu who ultimately scored the winning goal with almost the last kick of the game in the victory over the Millers may well get to start. Nathan Tella was uncharacteristically out of touch on Wednesday night and Jay Rodriguez was forced off with a knock following yet another heavy clash with a Rotherham defender.

Burnley will continue to miss the long term injured trio of Ashley Westwood, Scott Twine and Darko Churlinov. Josh Cullen remains a doubt and Josh Brownhill who picked up a daft yellow card late on against the epic timewasters following yet another off the ball skirmish instigated by the Yorkshire outfit will unfortunately miss the game through suspension.

Verdict: Burnley will unquestionably be resolute and hard to beat, the Blades need to win so a 1-1 draw looks inevitable, neither team will want to lose this Saturday midday match up.

Footnote: Sheffield United. Owen Coyle. Wade Elliot. Wembley. Promotion. I never need to try and recall many words beyond that May Day when Burnley returned to the topflight of English football. Let’s hope Saturday provides another steppingstone for Vincent Kompany’s Clarets on their way back to the summit of English football.

From: The Editor’s Chair – Clarets Mad.

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