Manchester United's pursuit of Premier League leaders Manchester City will continue with a trip to Burnley on Saturday afternoon.
United have managed to cut the gap to 12 points, and they will be confident of overcoming a Burnley team that are without a win in their last seven matches in all competitions.
Burnley
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There is no doubting that Burnley are enjoying a terrific season, but head coach Sean Dyche will be concerned with his team's form in recent weeks.
It is difficult to be too critical of a Burnley side that is seventh in the Premier League table after 23 matches. They have won nine, drawn seven and lost seven in the top flight this season, and have rightly been praised for operating above their means throughout the 2017-18 campaign.
However, the Clarets are without a win in any competition since recording a 1-0 victory over Stoke City in the Premier League on December 12. Since then, they have lost four and drawn three of their seven fixtures.
It is only just over three weeks since Burnley picked up a point at Old Trafford, but they then failed to beat Huddersfield Town before losing to Liverpool and Crystal Palace in their next two in the top flight.
The late defeat against Liverpool on New Year's Day would have been tough to take, and Dyche's side were far from their best last weekend as they suffered a 1-0 loss at Palace. There are no alarm bells at this stage, but two of Burnley's next three are against United and City.
Burnley's brilliant season is even more incredible considering that they have only scored eight times at Turf Moor in the Premier League this season. Only Swansea City have a worse record when it comes to scoring home league goals, but the Clarets have also only conceded eight on home soil.
Leicester City will have Burnley in their sights over the next few weeks, but Dyche's side are still nine points clear of 11th-placed West Ham United, and finishing in the top half this season would be some achievement.
Recent form: DLDDLL
Recent form (all competitions): LDDLLL
Manchester United
© SilverHub
Fresh from a week-long training camp in Dubai, United recorded a 3-0 win over Stoke City at Old Trafford on Monday night. It was a result that allowed the Red Devils to close the gap on league leaders City to 12 points after Pep Guardiola's side suffered a 4-3 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
Three straight Premier League draws against Leicester, Burnley and Southampton over the festive period saw Jose Mourinho's side concede ground on City, but United recorded a 2-0 victory at Everton on New Year's Day before overcoming struggling Stoke in comfortable fashion last time out.
Fifteen wins, five draws and three defeats is how United have performed in the Premier League this season, and they sit three points clear of third-placed Liverpool entering this weekend's round of fixtures.
Only City have a better away record than United at this stage of the campaign, and the Red Devils have actually won four of their last five Premier League matches on their travels.
Another victory this weekend would lead them nicely into a trip to Tottenham Hotspur at the end of this month, and it does appear that the break in Dubai will stand the team in good stead in the final stages of the 2017-18 campaign.
Paul Pogba was the star pupil against Stoke last time out, and the in-form midfielder will be looking to inspire a team that continue to pursue Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez in this January transfer window.
Recent form: WDDDWW
Recent form (all competitions): DDDWWW
Team News
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On-loan Tottenham Hotspur attacker Georges-Kevin N'Koudou made his Burnley bow off the bench against Palace last weekend, and the 22-year-old could be in line to start for the home side on Saturday afternoon.
Scott Arfield is also pushing for a return, although the absence of Chris Wood should see Ashley Barnes continue in the final third of the field.
Jonathan Walters is also facing more time on the sidelines after undergoing a knee operation, while Tom Heaton, Robbie Brady and Stephen Ward are all still unavailable.
As for United, Ashley Young is available following a suspension, and the Englishman is expected to replace Luke Shaw at left-back.
Mourinho is trying to get a move for Sanchez over the line so the Chilean can be involved this weekend, although the deal would need to be completed by 12pm on Friday afternoon.
Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata should again support lone forward Romelu Lukaku, leaving Marcus Rashford on the bench.
Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Michael Carrick are still unavailable, although Marouane Fellaini continued his recovery from a knee injury with a late cameo appearance against Stoke.
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Pope; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Cork, Defour; Gudmundsson, Hendrick, N'Koudou; Barnes
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Young; Matic, Pogba; Martial, Lingard, Mata; Lukaku
Head To Head
Burnley's first and only Premier League win over United was a 1-0 success at Turf Moor in August 2009. Robbie Blake scored the only goal of the match for the newly-promoted outfit.
United are unbeaten in their six Premier League meetings since then, although three of those fixtures have ended in draws – including a 2-2 at Old Trafford when the pair locked horns on Boxing Day.
That said, Mourinho's side recorded a 2-0 win at Turf Moor last season courtesy of goals from Martial and Wayne Rooney.
We say: Burnley 0-2 Manchester United
United were excellent against Stoke on Monday night, and the Red Devils will be confident of recording their third straight Premier League win here. We fancy the visitors to collect all the points courtesy of a comfortable 2-0 success.
Matt Law
