Skip to content

Burnley v Brighton: Clarets close to securing Europa League spot

Burnley's Jack Cork celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Vicarage Road
Image: Burnley are seventh in the Premier League table

Burnley will be looking to move a step closer to European football, while Brighton will hope to move nearer to survival when they meet at Turf Moor on Saturday.

The Clarets need just four more points from their last three games to guarantee a place in next season's Europa League.

Brighton, meanwhile, sit 13th in the Premier League table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

They face a tough end to the season as they finish with Manchester United at home and then trips to Manchester City and Liverpool.

"We know we have work to do still," said manager Chris Hughton. "Everyone is aware of the challenges that we have, the magnitude of the games that we have.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Chris Hughton says Brighton are not resting on their laurels even though they are seven points clear of the relegation zone

"But we will go into every game trying to get points and believing we can get points and until we are in a position that we are over the line we can't rest easy. Our mentality is to win as many points."

Brighton have lost four of their last six matches in all competitions while Burnley have failed to win either of their last two matches, having won five in a row before that.

Also See:

Team news

Ben Mee and Scott Arfield will again be missing for Burnley. Defender Mee (shin) has not played this month while midfielder Arfield, who will leave the Clarets at the end of this campaign, is out with a calf injury.

Boss Sean Dyche has confirmed on-loan Tottenham winger Georges-Kevin N'Koudou (hamstring) will be back available but Steven Defour and Robbie Brady (both knee) are out.

Ben Mee
Image: Burnley defender Ben Mee is out injured

Brighton have no fresh injury concerns. Midfielder Davy Propper remains unavailable as he serves out a three-match suspension following his red card against Huddersfield on April 7.

Steve Sidwell continues his recovery from an ankle problem which has hampered his return following back surgery.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Burnley manager Sean Dyche has confirmed Scott Arfield and Dean Marney will leave Turf Moor this season

Opta facts

  • Burnley haven't beaten Brighton in any of their last seven league meetings since a 1-0 Championship win in April 2012, though the last four have all ended level (L3).
  • The Seagulls are winless in 10 away league games since beating Swansea 1-0 in November, drawing three and losing seven.
  • Sean Dyche won his first managerial meeting with Brighton in November 2011 when he was Watford manager but has failed to win any of his subsequent seven against them (D5 L2).
  • Chris Wood has netted five goals in 11 league games against Brighton - only against Huddersfield (6) has he scored more in English league football.
  • Ashley Barnes has scored in six of his last eight Premier League games, with his leveller at Stoke last time out seeing him become the first Burnley player to score 20 Premier League goals.
  • Glenn Murray is the highest scoring Premier League player who's yet to assist a goal this season (12 goals). It's the most in a single top-flight campaign since Demba Ba in 2012-13 (15).

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

We take a look at the stats ahead of Saturday's Premier League fixtures

Merson's prediction

Burnley got a good result at Stoke. They were second best against Chelsea before that but they didn't get blown away, it was still a tight game. They will have just too much for Brighton and move ever closer to securing European football which will be a phenomenal achievement. They have won their league behind the top six, they should get a medal.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (17/2 with Sky Bet)

Fantasy Six-a-Side
Fantasy Six-a-Side

Pick your dream team for Man Utd v Arsenal to be the latest £50k jackpot winner.

Around Sky