Watford travels to Turf Moor to face Burnley on Thursday evening as Nigel Pearson’s side continue their fight for their Premier League status.
The Hornets are currently in the midst of a survival scrap sitting in 16th place, just a point outside of the relegation zone. Sean Dyche’s Clarets are in a more comfortable situation in 11th place, just two points off of Arsenal above them.
Both sides have now played since the restart and will be familiar with the ‘new normal’. Watford picked up a valuable point when they drew 1-1 with high-flying Leicester City thanks to an injury-time equaliser from Craig Dawson.
Meanwhile, Burnley were thrashed 5-0 by Manchester City at the Etihad in what was the curtain-raiser for the Clarets following the restart of the season. The compact fixture list means that Burnley will be playing a second game in just three days on Thursday.
Burnley ran out comfortable winners in the side’s earlier fixture as they left Vicarage Road with a 0-3 win thanks to goals from Chris Wood, Ashley Barnes and James Tarkowski. Watford were left rock bottom of the league after the result but have managed to pick up since the arrival of Pearson.
Team News
Burnley look set to miss striker Ashley Barnes as he continues to get up to speed following hernia surgery. Fellow striker Chris Wood (achilleas) and midfielder Johan Berg Gudmundsson (calf) are also likely to miss out.
Irishman Robbie Brady has a slim chance of being available after missing the Manchester City clash through injury.
Watford will continue to be without midfielder Gerard Deulofeu after he suffered a serious knee injury against Liverpool before the break.
Defender Daryl Janmaat (knee) and striker Isaac Success (achilleas) are also unavailable.
Burnley could be forgiven for conceding five to a world-class Man City on their return to action and with bright spells, in the game, I think they are very capable of taking their chances. Watford had some big chances that they didn’t take at Leicester and I think that could be their undoing in this game as well, Deeney and Sarr will be at the top of their game if the Hornets are to have a sting.
Match Preview written by Dan Chenery.
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