Burnley 2019-20 preview: With focus back on Premier league, Clarets look to reclaim mid-table
Burnley comes on the back of a disappointing season in the Premier League, but it could be a blessing in disguise for the Sean Dyche-led team.
Published : Aug 08, 2019 19:42 IST
A seventh-place finish in the 2017-18 season meant Sean Dyche’s men had to focus on more than just the Premier League, which didn't quite work out. After being knocked out of the Europa League qualification and finishing fifteenth in the league last season, Burnley can solely focus on the league in the 2019-20 season.
Following Peter Crouch’s retirement and goalkeeper Tom Heaton’s departure to Aston Villa, Burnley brought in like-for-like replacements in the form of West Brom striker Jay Rodriguez and Leeds’ 22-year old keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
The club has retained its core group of players but speculation around centre-back James Tarkowski to Leicester City continues to worry Burnley fans.
The partnership between Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood, who scored 13 goals each last season, will once again be key to Burnley’s fortunes.
The Clarets completed a fruitful pre-season with four wins, one draw and one loss which includes a 6-1 rout of Patrick Viera’s Nice. However, a tough list of initial fixtures, which includes a trip to Arsenal, Wolves followed by a home game against last-season’s runner-up Liverpool will pose a question to the team’s mettle.
READ | Manchester United preview: Can Ole's rebuild take his team back to Champions League?
Player to watch out for: James Tarkowski
Tarkowki has been a key figure at Burnley. The England centre back has averaged just under two tackles per game over four seasons in 89 appearances. His partnership with Ben Mee has been key for the Clarets notching up 14 clean sheets in 2017-18 when they finished seventh. He has been heavily linked with a move to Leicester City, but Burnley fought to keep him, underlining his importance at the heart of the defence.
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Burnley's 2019/20 Premier League fixtures
August
10: Burnley v Southampton
17: Arsenal v Burnley
24: Wolves v Burnley
31: Burnley v Liverpool
September
14: Brighton v Burnley
21: Burnley v Norwich
28: Aston Villa v Burnley
October
5: Burnley v Everton
19: Leicester v Burnley
26: Burnley v Chelsea
November
2: Sheffield United v Burnley
9: Burnley v West Ham
23: Watford v Burnley
30: Burnley v Crystal Palace
December
3: Burnley v Manchester City
7: Tottenham v Burnley
14: Burnley v Newcastle
21: Bournemouth v Burnley
26: Everton v Burnley
28: Burnley v Manchester United
January
1: Burnley v Aston Villa
11: Chelsea v Burnley
18: Burnley v Leicester
21: Manchester United v Burnley
February
1: Burnley v Arsenal
8: Southampton v Burnley
22: Burnley v Bournemouth
29: Newcastle v Burnley
March
7: Burnley v Tottenham
14: Manchester City v Burnley
21: Burnley v Watford
April
4: Crystal Palace v Burnley
11: Burnley v Sheffield United
18: West Ham v Burnley
25: Liverpool v Burnley
May
2: Burnley v Wolves
9: Norwich v Burnley
17: Burnley v Brighton