Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
There was nothing short of heroics by Burnley last weeeknd as they withheld everything that Manchester United threw at them at Old Trafford. Tom Heaton grabbed the headlines after making a string of sensational saves to make sure Sean Dyche’s men came away from the Theatre of Dreams with a well earned point.
Today they play host to Crystal Palace in search of their 4th win of the season with all three previously coming at Turf Moor. Previous to last Saturday all their points had come at home with their point at Old Trafford being the first that they have earned on the road this season.
Burnley have won 11 points so far and when you look at who they have picked up points it makes for impressive reading. They have done the Merseyside double as they have beat both Everton and Liverpool at home and also their is the aforementioned draw against Manchester United last Saturday.
Today sees two English managers go head to head as Sean Dyche welcomes Alan Pardew and his Crystal Palace side to Lancashire. Palace make the journey north currently sitting 11th in the Premier League but what doesn’t make for great reading is the fact that they have lost their last three matches.
Last Saturday saw them play in what was definitely the most entertaining fixture as they shared out a 6 goal thriller with Liverpool. Unfortunately for Palace after drawing level twice in the first half, Jurgen Klopp’s side had that little bit extra to kill off The Eagles and consign them to a 4th straight game without a win.
If September was a good month for Palace, then October has been awful with not a point to show for their efforts. Not only that but the defence has been somewhat leaky with Alan Pardew’s men shipping eight goals in the three defeats to West Ham, Leicester and Liverpool.
Although they have been leaking goals they may find some comfort in the fact that Burnley are the second lowest scorers in the Premier League with just 8 in the first 10 matches. But 14th in the Premier League is not to sniffed at and Burnley will hope to add to their points tally this afternoon.
We have a Burnley side who will be riding high after that well earned point last Saturday and a Palace side whose form has deserted them. Add to the fact that Burnley have already won 3 times at Turf Moor this season and the outcome doesn’t look good for The Eagles.
That said though I think we will see a share of the points today. If I was a betting man which I am, I reckon it will be a draw and under 2.5 goals. So for all you maths fans out there I am nailing my colours to the mast and going with a 1-1 draw. A share of the points for me.
