Burnley, known as the Clarets, are currently in their third spell in the Premier League and, three years in, it is their most successful, too. Having been relegated after just one season in 2010 and 2015, Burnley are now a much more stable club in the top flight and, for the first time in 51 years, will compete in Europe. Their manager, Sean Dyche, has been in place since 2012 and despite links with a move to Everton last season, signed a new contract at Turf Moor, their home for their entire 132-year history, last season. The ground currently holds over 21,000 people.
Burnley may be a small club nowadays, but they have an impressive history dating back around 90 years. In the 1920-21 season, they won their first Division One title, a feat which they then repeated in 1959-60. Around the same time, in 1919-20 and 1961-62 respectively, they also recorded two second placed finishes. They also have one FA Cup to their name, won in 1914, and four semi final appearances in the League Cup, in 1961, 1969, 1983 and 2009. They have also played in Europe before, as they are doing this season, but not for 51 years.
Notable former players and managers include, for the 1997-98 campaign in the old second division, Tottenham, Marseille and England legend Chris Waddle. Current Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe’s two spells on the South Coast sandwich a brief stint at Turf Moor between January 2011 and October 2012, but he left citing home sickness before returning to Dean Court, where he had continued his great work to the present day. Burnley’s all time top goalscorer is George Beel, who scored 183 goals between 1923 and 1932, while Tommy Lawton, who would go on to have a great career at Everton in particular, is still the club’s youngest ever player, a record he obtained in March 1936 when Burnley faced Doncaster Rovers.
Burnley squad 2019/20
Goalkeeper: Nick Pope, Joe Hart, Adam Legzdins
Defenders: Matthew Lowton, Ben Mee, Stephen Ward, Phil Bardsley, James Tarkowski, Kevin Long, Ben Gibson
Midfielders: Jack Cork, Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick, Ashley Westwood, Aaron Lennon, Aiden O’Neill, Steven Defour, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Danny Drinkwater
Forwards: Sam Vokes, Ashley Barnes, Chris Wood, Jay Rodriguez, Dwight McNeil
Burnley predictions season 2019/20
Burnley stunned everyone by qualifying for the Europa League in 2017/18, but with their squad depth lacking, it ended up being more of a hindrance than an exciting prospect. Sean Dyche had his pre-season disrupted by their campaign starting in July, and though they didn’t get through the qualifying rounds, the impact lasted. They looked tired and lethargic at the start of the Premier League, and they weren’t playing in the aggressive and defensively strong manner Dyche’s teams are usually known for. Eventually, though, they pulled away from trouble and survived comfortably, with a win over Tottenham a particular highlight in the second half of the season. Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood had a great partnership up front last term, and the firepower will only be added to by the return of local lad Jay Rodriguez from West Brom, their main signing during the summer.
Burnley have become something of a modern day Stoke City, a team that always seem nailed on to survive in the Premier League as long as they keep playing to their strengths. Dyche knows how to get the best out of his side, and that should see them safe, but it won’t be pretty and won’t always run smoothly.
Burnley best offers of the season
Burnley to be relegated @ 2/1 with Betfair
Lowest scoring team @ 9/1
Sean Dyche to leave by Christmas @ 11/2
