Burnley, vying for the Championship title, will host relegation-threatened Derby County at Turf Moor on Tuesday evening for matchday 20 of the 2024-25 season.
The hosts are third in the table with 37 points from 19 outings, while the visitors are 16th in the standings with 20 points from their first 19 games.
Match preview
© Imago
After suffering relegation from the Premier League last season, Burnley came into the 2024-25 campaign aiming to secure their instant promotion back to the top flight of English football.
They began the campaign in superb form with a 4-1 victory over fellow relegated Luton Town and a 5-0 thrashing of Cardiff City, but their momentum was halted by a disappointing defeat to Sunderland.
Although they stayed unbeaten in the next nine league matches, Scott Parker's side managed just four wins while drawing five, with the high number of draws proving to be an issue in their early-season campaign, with no team inside the top seven recording more than their seven draws.
They followed that with a 1-0 loss to Millwall, but they have once again rebounded with two draws and four wins from their last six fixtures, leaving them in good form heading into this one.
Those results mean Burnley sit third in the Championship table with 37 points after 19 games, from 10 wins, seven draws and just two defeats, leaving them trailing the top two by a single point.
Parker, who has been in charge since July 2024, will now be hoping to guide his side back to winning ways following a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough last time out, and Burnley will be confident given they have defeated Derby at Turf Moor in six of the last seven meetings.
As for Derby, they earned promotion back to the Championship for the first time since their relegation in the 2021-22 season as they finished second in League One last year, promoted alongside Portsmouth and Oxford United.
Aiming to extend their stay in the second tier this campaign, Derby had a strong initial start to the term with three wins from their first five league fixtures, losing the other matches to Blackburn Rovers and Watford.
However, they have endured a difficult spell in the following 15 outings, managing a disappointing two victories, five draws and seven losses, including three consecutive defeats heading into this one.
Those results leave them sitting 16th in the table with 20 points from 19 matches, holding just a three-point lead over the drop zone, a gap they will aim to extend with a surprise win on Tuesday.
Team News
© Imago
Burnley could be missing up to six players for this match due to injuries, with Jordan Beyer, Lyle Foster, Manuel Benson, Mike Tresor and John Egan all doubtful, though their returns are expected throughout this month.
Aaron Ramsey remains sidelined for the Clarets, with the midfielder not expected to return from the cruciate ligament injury he sustained in February until the new year.
Josh Brownhill is Burnley's top scorer in the league this term with six goals in 18 appearances, and the midfielder is set to captain the side once again here.
Derby are only contending with two injury issues heading into this match, with both Ryan Nyambe and Tawanda Chirewa not likely to return to action until later this month.
Jerry Yates is Derby's top scorer in the league with four goals from 16 appearances, and with the striker netting three in his last five, they will rely on him to make the difference again in this one.
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Humphreys; Cullen, Brownhill; Anthony, Sarmiento, Koleosho; Rodriguez
Derby County possible starting lineup:
Zetterstrom; Wilson, Phillips, Nelson, Cashin, Forsyth; Jackson, Thompson, Osborn, Mendez-Laing; Yates
We say: Burnley 2-0 Derby County
Burnley are undoubtedly the favourites heading into this match, with the home advantage and better form on their side, leading us to believe they will secure a commanding victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
