Burnley welcome Norwich City to Turf Moor in a blockbuster Tuesday Night Football clash in the Sky Bet Championship.
Victory would lift Burnley up to the summit of the Championship, whilst Norwich can go fourth with a win.
Team News
Anass Zaroury is set to be available for Burnley after he suffered a knock in their comeback win at Sunderland on Saturday.
Jordan Beyer and Ian Maatsen (both knock) are doubtful and will face late fitness tests.
Ashley Westwood (ankle), Scott Twine (hip) and Darko Churlinov (unspecified) remain absent.
Norwich will hand Isaac Hayden and Dimitri Giannoulis fitness tests as part of easing both players back into regular first-team action, after the pair featured in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Sheffield United.
Sam McCallum (foot) is nearing a first-team return but won’t be risked at Turf Moor unless he is match-fit, whilst Kiaran Dowell (illness) remains a doubt.
Jacob Sorensen, Andrew Omobamidele (both ankle) and Adam Idah (knee) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Burnley have lost just one of their last five Sky Bet Championship meetings against Norwich (W2, D2, L1).
- Norwich have failed to win any of their last five visits to Turf Moor in the second-tier since the league was rebranded to ‘Championship’ (L5).
- Burnley are looking to avoid failing to score in three consecutive matches against Norwich for the first time in the fixture’s history.
- No Burnley player has been involved in more league goals this season than Josh Brownhill, who has produced five goals and four assists in 16 appearances.
- Dean Smith’s Canaries are yet to score from the penalty spot this season in the Championship.
Prediction
Having looked set to be a tasty match-up at time of original postponement in early September, this clash is now even more important as both teams head towards the mid-season break.
Although Burnley can go top with a win, their defence will need to show more focus than what they delivered in the first-half at Sunderland on Saturday, yet these Clarets have shown that they can’t be written off as evidenced by a braver clinical performance in the second-half which paid dividends.
Norwich meanwhile should be annoyed at how they blew a two-goal lead to draw at Sheffield Utd because they were fantastic in their pressing and finishing in the first-half, yet somehow let their defensive marking drop at throw-ins which proved costly on top of unlucky refereeing decisions.]
A good start therefore could be crucial but if Burnley’s defence again is sluggish, I can’t see them repeating Saturday’s comeback win because Norwich should have enough to hold them at bay, but I do expect a much tighter battle here and a draw surely looks a fair bet if both teams cut out their mistakes.
Prediction: Burnley 1-1 Norwich
Result: Burnley 1-0 Norwich