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Preview: Burnley vs. Stoke City

Sports Mole looks ahead to the Premier League clash between Burnley and Stoke City.

Relegated Burnley are aiming to win back-to-back games for only the second time this season when they host Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.

The Clarets may be heading for the Championship but they have shown that they won't go down without a fight and will be a tough side for the Potters to crack.



Burnley

Burnley manager Sean Dyche on May 9, 2015© Getty Images

Burnley manager Sean Dyche can be proud of his side's effort this season but ultimately they just lacked the quality needed to survive in the Premier League.

Last week's win at Hull City wasn't enough to prolong their fight and they will be plying their trade in the second tier next season.

Dyche will point to their form over the past two months as the reason for their demise, as goals and wins dried up at the most important time of the campaign.

Danny Ings's strike at the KC Stadium was the team's first since they beat Manchester City seven games ago, and only their second since they drew at Chelsea in February.

Ings has been vital for them this season and question marks over his future may have played a part in his poor record in recent months.

The 22-year-old seems destined to leave for a bigger club this summer, but the home supporters will hope that he can turn on the style for one final time at Turf Moor.

Burnley's new aim is to avoid finishing bottom and they have a two-point advantage over Queens Park Rangers, who face Newcastle United this weekend.

Victory against the Potters would ease those fears and build some momentum ahead of their Championship assault next season.

Recent form: DLLLLW



Stoke City

Charlie Adam celebrates scoring for Stoke City on May 9, 2015© Getty Images

Stoke have had a quiet season in comparison to many of their rivals, who are either chasing European football or fighting to stay in the division.

The Potters have not been contenders at either end of the table at any stage this year, but Mark Hughes is still chasing records in his second season in charge.

A single point from their final two games will see them beat their record points haul in the Premier League, and also confirm their second successive top-half finish.

Last week, the Midlands side coasted to a comfortable 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur to record their ninth home victory of the season.

Earlier in the campaign, it was their away form which grabbed headlines thanks to high-profile wins away at Manchester City and Spurs, but the roles have reversed since Christmas.

Stoke have not won on their travels since they beat Aston Villa in February, while they slumped to a disappointing 2-0 loss at Swansea City last time out.

On the final day of the season, they will host Liverpool in what will be Steven Gerrard's final game for the Reds. It will also be the final game for Potters goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, who is also expected to retire.

Recent form: LDWDLW



Team News

Jack Butland for Stoke on January 5, 2015© Getty Images

Burnley could field their dream striker pairing of Danny Ings and Sam Vokes against Stoke, with the latter knocking on the door for a first-team return.

The pair were instrumental in helping the club earn promotion last season, but a serious injury to Vokes has limited his chances this year.

Stoke are likely to keep faith with Jack Butland in goal, as Asmir Begovic remains on the sidelines. The Bosnian is heavily tipped to leave the Britannia Stadium this summer and Hughes has responded by taking him out of the firing line.

Charlie Adam's fine form should keep him in the side ahead of Stephen Ireland in the number 10 role, but Peter Odemwingie is unlikely to start ahead of either Jonathan Walters or Marko Arnautovic.

Burnley possible starting lineup:
Heaton, Trippier, Shackell, Duff, Mee, Boyd, Jones, Arfield, Taylor, Vokes, Ings

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Butland, Cameron, Shawcross, Muniesa, Pieters, N'Zonzi, Whelan, Walters, Adam, Arnautovic, Diouf.



Head To Head

Stoke have a marginally better record since their first ever meeting in 1888, and have won 44 of their 104 encounters.

However, Burnley earned the three points when they met in November as Danny Ings scored twice in a minute to help his side to a 2-1 win.

Burnley haven't beaten Stoke in their own stadium in their last three attempts, and have picked up just one win from their last six clashes.

The Clarets' first ever Premier League match came against the Potters in 2009, but they slumped to a 2-0 loss thanks to an own goal and a Ryan Shawcross header.



Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:



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We say: Burnley 1-2 Stoke City

Stoke have to be considered favourites for this game following their 3-0 thumping of Spurs and Burnley's relegation. The Lancashire side's home form is the worst in the league, and Stoke have a good away record against teams in the bottom half of the table.

For that reason we're going for a narrow away win, and a new record Premier League points tally for the Potters.



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Charlie Bennett
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Charlie Adam of Stoke City celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Britannia Stadium on May 9, 2015
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd21145230111945
2Leeds UnitedLeeds21126337152242
3Burnley2111822681841
4Sunderland21117332171540
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2011452517837
6Middlesbrough21104735251034
7Watford2010462926334
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2171132416832
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds218582630-429
10Swansea CitySwansea217682322127
11Bristol City216962626027
12Norwich CityNorwich216873632426
13Millwall206772018225
14Luton TownLuton2274112538-1325
15Derby CountyDerby2266102728-124
16Coventry CityCoventry216692730-324
17Preston North EndPreston2141162127-623
18Stoke CityStoke215792328-522
19Queens Park RangersQPR2141072127-622
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2046102133-1218
21Cardiff CityCardiff2046101932-1318
22Portsmouth193882134-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2045111942-2317
24Hull City2137111930-1116


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