THE OPPOSITION
Burnley's start to their sixth consecutive Premier League season has been a slow one with just one win in 12 in all competitions. The performances have, by popular consensus, been far better than the results but Burnley go into tomorrow's game 18th in the Premier League with just four draws from their nine league outings so far.
League goals have been in short supply for The Clarets this term, Dyche's side have netted just twice in front of their home fans, the most recent of those coming in late August.
Behind Thomas Frank's Bees, Burnley have the second highest difference between their points total and their expected points total, with Dyche's side winning the XG battle in four of their nine top flight games so far.
The Clarets have enjoyed the lowest amount of possession, 39.3% per game, and average the most aerial duels per game, 24.9, in this season's top flight.
Burnley's marquee summer arrival was winger Maxwell Cornet (above) from Lyon. The 25-year-old has hit the ground running in Lancashire with three goals in as many league starts for The Clarets.
THE GAMEPLAN
When asked for Hot Off The Press how Sean Dyche would set his side up tomorrow, The Athletic's Andy Jones, said: "It will be an interesting one as he has been quite flexible recently. It has been 4-4-2 for a number of seasons, but the introduction of Cornet has changed that and while the squad is relatively fit, it’s a decision made on a game-by-game basis. He went 4-5-1 against Southampton, with Josh Brownhill as the No 10, Cornet on the left, Dwight McNeil on the right and it may well be that setup again, but there were a few defensive problems with that."
TEAM NEWS
Bryan Mbeumo (hamstring) and Ethan Pinnock (hip) will be assessed ahead of kick-off while Yoane Wissa (ankle), Shandon Baptiste (shoulder), and Vitaly Janelt (quad) are all getting closer to fitness. David Raya, Mads Bech Sorensen, Julian Jeanvier (all knee), and Josh Dasilva (hip) are on the long-term injury list.
Dale Stephens and Wayne Hennessy (both ankle) are Burnley's only absentees with Ben Mee, Conor Roberts, Matej Vydra, and Charlie Taylor all making returns to action in the last fortnight.
MATCH STATS
THE MANAGER
Sean Dyche was a no-nonsense centre-back during his playing days, starting out in the youth system at Nottingham Forest. His professional debut came when he moved to Chesterfield in 1990. He made over 200 appearances for The Spireites, scoring as Chesterfield shared six goals with Middlesbrough in the 1997 FA Cup Semi-Final. He also played for Luton Town, Watford, Bristol City, Millwall and Northampton Town; earning promotion with each of the last three clubs on that list.
He retired as a player in 2007, taking up coaching with the youth teams at his former club Watford. He had a brief stint as Manager at Vicarage Road, following Malky Mackay's move to Cardiff City in 2011. The Hornets finished 11th in his only season in charge, their best in four seasons, but still replaced him at the end of the season.
A month coaching in the England Under-21 setup was quickly followed by his appointment at Burnley in 2012. Dyche won them top-flight promotion in his first season but they were relegated back there a year later. He guided the side back to the Premier League in 2016, where they have been ever since. He led them to the Europa League for the first time in 50 years after securing a seventh-place finish in 2017.
THE OPPOSITION VIEW
Sean Dyche told burnleyfootballclub.com: “I think [Brentford] have adapted to the league in a different way, they are playing quick forwards and are aggressive in the right way. They have an openness to the challenge, and I think they are using that wisely.
“But I don’t underestimate anyone who gets to the Premier League, trust me. If you’re in the Premier League, you deserve the right to be there. We know they are in a healthy place, but no game is easy in this league. And we’re in a good place ourselves, I wouldn’t underestimate where we are, because I know the group.
“The general level of performance is strong statistically, as well. But our focus hasn’t lost sight of the fact we need to win”
THOMAS THOUGHTS
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Assistant Referees: Marc Perry and Timothy Wood
Fourth official: Jeremy Simpson
VAR: Andy Madley
Assistant VAR: Richard West
Burnley 2021/22
87 fouls - 11th in Premier League
21 yellow cards - Fourth in Premier League
0 red cards - Joint-Fewest in Premier League
MATCHDAY INFO
The visitors’ entrance is located in the Barnfield Construction Stand at Turf Moor.
Turf Moor is a cashless stadium. All major debit and credit cards are accepted.
Flags and banners are not permitted in the visitors’ section at Turf Moor.
Small bags and backpacks are permitted at Turf Moor, providing they are small enough to fit under a seat. Bags will be searched on arrival at the stadium for security reasons.
Plan your Matchday
HOW TO FOLLOW
Our trip to Burnley is not being shown live in the UK so the only way for domestic fans to follow all the action live is to listen on BeesPlayer
Joining Mark Burridge will be Marcus Gayle.
For fans around the world, the game is being shown live through the Premier League's broadcast partners. Click here to see if the game is on where you are.