Burnley can remain on course for Premier League promotion if they manage to seal victory over Fulham at Turf Moor on Tuesday evening.
The Cottagers are just four points adrift of the playoff spots and are yet to be beaten following five consecutive Championship games.
Burnley
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As it often goes, the teams who get relegated from the Premier League are automatically tipped to return to the top flight following a season in the Championship.
Burnley were sent back down to the second tier of English football, alongside Hull City and Queens Park Rangers, after surprising everyone by achieving a place in the top flight in the first place.
Sean Dyche's side were on familiar ground after returning to the Championship, but they had a stuttered start following two draws and a defeat.
A 1-0 win over Brentford was the turning point for the Clarets as they went on to claim three more wins on the trot.
Just one defeat has blemished a decent run of eight wins and two draws since mid-August, which has placed them third in the league table, just two points adrift of leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.
Burnley have seen the sight of goal many times this season having netted 20 times in 14 games, with Andre Gray leading the scoring charts with six to his name.
The Clarets have scored 10 league goals in their last six games, but they have only managed to keep a clean sheet four times, the last of which was against Blackburn Rovers earlier this month.
Burnley have conceded 13 goals overall, but depending on other results in the Championship on Tuesday night, the team could move to the top of the table with a win.
Recent form: LWWDWW
Fulham
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It was not that long ago that Fulham manager Kit Symons's job came under question after failing to guide the team to a win in their first four Championship games.
The team suffered a lull after recording three consecutive draws, but they have now moved to 10th in the table following back-to-back wins.
The Cottagers have been high scoring in the last two games having found the back of the net eight times overall - four goals in a win against Reading and four in an away triumph over Bristol City.
Moussa Dembele has been in fine form having scored five goals in his last three league games, while Ross McCormack has also contributed with a goal in Fulham's last two Championship matches.
The London outfit have not been beaten in five league games, but they have conceded in all of them bar one, which was a goalless draw against Middlesbrough.
Fulham have managed to keep just two clean sheets, and given that they are away on Tuesday evening, a third might be too much of an ask for Symons's side.
Recent form: LDDDWW
Team News
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Burnley boss Sean Dyche is expected to keep the same side that secured a 2-1 victory over Huddersfield Town at Turf Moor over the weekend, meaning that George Boyd should start.
The midfielder returned to the team on Saturday having spent time out with an ankle knock, while Dean Marney and Kevin Long could be involved on the bench.
Sam Vokes and Andre Gray are likely to lead the line for the home side as they look for their third win on the trot and sixth consecutive game unbeaten.
For the away side on Tuesday, midfielder Scott Parker could return to the squad as he continues to regain fitness from an ankle injury, but Jazz Richards will not be included due to a calf problem.
Like his counterpart, Symons is expected to name a similar or same side to the team that grabbed a 4-1 win over Bristol City.
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Heaton; Darikwa, Duff, Keane, Mee; Barton, Jones, Arfield, Boyd; Vokes, Gray
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Lonergan; Fredericks, Stearman, Burn, Ream; Husband, Tunnicliffe, O'Hara, Cairney; McCormack, Dembele
Head To Head
These two sides have met 35 times in total, but it is Burnley who edge the matches having won 19 compared to Fulham's 11 triumphs.
The spoils have been shared five times, but the Clarets also lead the way in the goalscoring charts with 59 strikes, while Fulham have managed 41.
Burnley have benefited more than the Cottagers points-wise as they have gained 62, while Fulham have taken 38 points from their head-to-heads.
The statistics get worse for Fulham as they have only managed to claim one win at Turf Moor.
We say: Burnley 2-1 Fulham
Burnley have the advantage of being at home, as well as the desire to move to the top of the Championship table as they search for Premier League promotion. Fulham may be unbeaten in five, but they have conceded 20 goals in 14 games, and given that they have only claimed one away win over the Clarets, they have a tough task ahead of them. The Cottagers have scored eight goals in their last two games, so they are likely to find the back of the net, but Burnley should see the game out for victory.
Danielle Joynson
