Burnley will look to continue their recent improvement when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Turf Moor on Friday night, with the Clarets aiming to extend their unbeaten run in the Championship to four matches. Nicky Hayen’s side has shown signs of progress after a difficult start to the campaign, collecting five points from their last three league fixtures.
Wolves, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency, suffering consecutive defeats that have threatened their position in the Championship’s top 10.
Burnley entered the international break without a league victory, raising questions about Hayen’s position. However, the club’s decision to retain the manager appears to be yielding some results, with the team gradually building momentum.
A home draw against Derby County was followed by an emphatic 4-0 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road. The Clarets then drew 2-2 with Charlton Athletic, although conceding a 96th-minute equaliser will have frustrated Hayen and his players.
Defensive issues remain a concern, with Burnley having conceded 19 goals in 10 league matches.
Nevertheless, victory on Friday could move them to within three points of the top 10 and provide further evidence of their recovery. Their home form has been mixed, with four of their five Championship matches at Turf Moor ending in draws. Their only defeat on home soil came against Bristol City, who secured a 2-1 victory.
Wolves, on the other hand, travel to Lancashire looking to halt a worrying decline. Cesar Peixoto’s side appeared to be finding their rhythm after an encouraging victory over fierce rivals West Bromwich Albion, but consecutive defeats to Middlesbrough and Bolton Wanderers have dampened the mood.
Wolves have won just two of their last seven matches across all competitions and have scored only three goals in their last five outings, highlighting their difficulties in the final third. History offers little encouragement for the visitors, who have failed to win on their last eight trips to Turf Moor. However, their most recent two visits ended in 1-1 draws, suggesting another closely contested encounter could be on the cards.
Team News
Burnley could make changes in attack as Hayen looks to improve his side’s attacking output. Marcus Edwards and Armando Broja are candidates to feature in the final third, potentially replacing Largie Ramazani and Jamie Vardy in the starting lineup.
Chelsea loanee Dastan Satpayev could also return to the squad after being unavailable for Tuesday’s match following his recovery from a hamstring injury. His parent club had prevented him from featuring as he continued to regain fitness.
Hjalmar Ekdal is on standby to return after Anel Ahmedhodzic suffered a late injury against Charlton Athletic. Ahmedhodzic’s condition will determine whether a change is required at the back, while Kyle Walker could be considered for a centre-back role depending on the defensive setup.
Wolves manager Cesar Peixoto is also expected to make several changes following the disappointing defeat to Bolton. Tommy Doyle and Marshall Munetsi could be introduced in midfield, while Andre may be rested after an underwhelming performance.
Toti Gomes could replace Ladislav Krejci in defence as Peixoto searches for greater stability. Newcastle United loanee Sean Neave is another player to watch, with the forward potentially in line for his first Championship start ahead of Armstrong.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde played his first full 90 minutes of the campaign on Tuesday, which could influence the selection of Fer Lopez on the right flank.
Wolves are still expected to be without Yerson Mosquera, Rodrigo Gomes and Raul Jimenez, who remain sidelined. Their absences could further limit Peixoto’s options as he attempts to arrest his team’s decline.
Possible Lineups
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Coudet; Walker, Ekdal, Julio, Pires; Alleyen, Hatate; Edwards, Laurent, Bruun Laursen; Broja
Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Sa; Trippier, Djiga, T Gomes, Konan; Doyle, Munetsi; Lopez, James, Mane; Neave
How to Watch
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV Broadcast | StarTimes, SuperSport |
| Live Stream | SportyTV, DStv Now |
| Kick-off Time | 20:00pm(WAT) |
Match Prediction
Softfootball predicts Burnley 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers. Burnley will take confidence from their recent unbeaten run and the emphatic victory over Watford, although their defensive shortcomings remain a concern. Playing at Turf Moor should give the Clarets an opportunity to build on their progress.