Burnley kick off the Fifth Round of this season’s FA Cup as they welcome Bournemouth to Turf Moor.
Sean Dyche’s Clarets are bidding to reach a first Quarter-Final since 2002-03 season, whereas Bournemouth look to book a last eight spot in the FA Cup for the first time in 64 years.
Team News
Josh Brownhill could return for Burnley after a foot injury kept him out of their last three matches.
Charlie Taylor (hamstring) and Robbie Brady (Achilles) could also feature if deemed fit but Chris Wood is still ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Bournemouth will be without Dominic Solanke as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury, whilst Junior Stanislas is set to return from his own ankle injury which has kept him out for the last month.
Stat Attack
- Burnley have advanced from all three previous FA Cup ties against Bournemouth, despite their second tie in this competition needing a replay (W3, D1).
- Bournemouth have failed to score in any of three previous FA Cup trips to Turf Moor (L3), whilst conceding ten goals across those three visits.
- Burnley have lost each of their last five appearances in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup, of which just one exit came at home – lost 1-0 to Lincoln City in February 2017.
- Bournemouth have lost two of three previous Fifth Round appearances in FA Cup (W1, L2), of which all came at home – making this Bournemouth’s first-ever away tie in Fifth Round of FA Cup.
- Three of Burnley’s four FA Cup goals this season have come after half-time.
Prediction
Although their form hasn’t been the most flattering lately, Burnley certainly come into this tie as favourites but will need to show stronger finishing than we saw on Saturday against Brighton if want the win.
Bournemouth meanwhile are in a rut at present with just two wins in last seven across all competitions, yet delivered a strong fighting display to edge out Birmingham in a 3-2 thriller despite defending proving to be an issue still.
This therefore is a difficult game to call given the high probability of massive squad rotations for both teams, but I am plumping for a Burnley win because they look to be in a stronger place mentally which might just give them the edge if are clinical otherwise I can see the lottery of penalties looming.
Prediction: Burnley 2-1 Bournemouth
Result: Burnley 0-2 Bournemouth