Newcastle United will be looking to continue their impressive run of form when they travel to an off-colour Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies have risen into 11th spot in the table following back-to-back wins, but Burnley have dropped to 13th having suffered three defeats in their last three league outings.
Match preview
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All things considered, sitting 13th in the Premier League table at this stage of the campaign is far from disastrous for Burnley. That said, there is no question that head coach Sean Dyche will be slightly concerned by his team's form since the end of November.
The Clarets recovered from three straight defeats between October 19 and November 2 by winning successive matches against West Ham United and Watford. The team are again on a three-game losing run, though, having failed to pick up a single point from the last nine available.
In fairness, their last two losses have come against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, but neither of those two sides have been at their best in recent weeks, and Burnley conceded nine times in the defeats.
Five wins and three draws have seen Dyche's side collect 18 points from their 16 league matches this season, leaving them two spots and four points off Newcastle heading into Saturday's contest.
The Clarets have also only won one of their last six Premier League meetings with this weekend's opponents, losing both matches during the 2018-19 campaign, which will be concerning for their fans.
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A number of Newcastle fans were disappointed that Steve Bruce was appointed as Rafael Benitez's successor at St James' Park, but any pressure on the current head coach from earlier this season has now evaporated.
Since losing 2-0 at Aston Villa on November 25, the Magpies have picked up seven points, starting with a 2-2 draw against Manchester City before recording back-to-back wins over Sheffield United and Southampton.
Newcastle were far from at their best in the clash with the Saints last Sunday but still managed to pick up all three points courtesy of a late goal from Federico Fernandez, which allowed them to move into 11th spot in the division.
The Magpies are level on points with ninth-placed Arsenal and just two points off fifth-placed Manchester United, showing that another positive result this weekend is likely to propel them up the table once again.
Newcastle's form is even more remarkable considering that their four first-team strikers have managed just one Premier League goal between them this season. Jonjo Shelvey has stepped forward in recent weeks, though, relishing the opportunity to wear the armband in the absence of Jamaal Lascelles.
Burnley Premier League form: LWWLLL
Newcastle United Premier League form: WWLDWW
Team News
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Ashley Barnes is in line to return to the Burnley XI having missed out against Tottenham last weekend with a knock, while midfielder Ashley Westwood is also in the frame having missed his side's last three matches.
Jay Rodriguez is also available despite sustaining a broken finger, while Phil Bardsley has overcome a knock and will train on Friday, Dyche confirmed at Thursday's press conference.
Charlie Taylor and Kevin Long are again absent with hamstring and hip injuries respectively, though, while Johann Berg Gudmundsson is not yet available despite making progress in his recovery from hamstring issue.
Aaron Lennon could be given the nod in a wide area for the home side, although Jack Cork and Jeff Hendrick are expected to continue in the middle of the park.
As for Newcastle, Lascelles and Matt Ritchie are both still unavailable, while Allan Saint-Maximin has been ruled out for the next month with a hamstring injury, meaning that he will miss the festive period.
Fabian Schar could come in for Ciaran Clark at the back with the latter being forced off last weekend, while Christian Atsu could take the position in the XI vacated by Saint-Maximin.
Bruce must again choose between Joelinton and Andy Carroll for the lone striker role, and the former is expected to get the nod with the latter potentially appearing off the bench.
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters; McNeil, Cork, Hendrick, Lennon; Wood, Barnes
Newcastle possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Manquillo, Fernandez, Schar, Dummett, Willems; Almiron, Hayden, Shelvey, Atsu; Joelinton
We say: Burnley 1-1 Newcastle
Three of the last six Premier League meetings between these two teams have finished level, and it would not be a surprise to see another draw on Saturday afternoon. Newcastle will be full of confidence following their recent form, but Burnley are certainly good enough to pick up a point on home soil.
Matt Law
