Burnley v Stoke preview

Struggling Clarets out to poleaxe Potters

Last updated: 10th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Burnley v Stoke preview

Laws: Needs a win

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 1-2

SKY BET odds: Burnley 6/4, Draw 12/5, Stoke 7/4

One to Watch: Glenn Whelan

Bet on Wednesday's match

Related links

Teams

Also see

Burnley desperately need to break out of their alarming slump when they entertain Stoke on Wednesday.

The Clarets may only be a point from safety, but a run of four consecutive defeats does not bode well for Brian Laws' side.

They have taken only one win from their last 17, losing 11, and the bright start they made to their debut season in the Premier League is now a distant memory.

Stoke, meanwhile, head into the midweek contest buoyed by a run which has seen them come unstuck only once in eight outings.

That solitary setback did come in their last top-flight fixture against title-chasing Arsenal, but they remain well placed to replicate last season's top-half finish.

The Potters have, however, won only one of their last eight games on the road, with lowly Portsmouth their most recent victims on their travels.

History suggests matches between these two sides are usually keenly contested, with the last three meetings at Turf Moor ending 2-1 and the four before that finishing all square at 1-1.

Team news

Burnley striker Steven Fletcher faces a late fitness test ahead of the crunch clash, but will be given every opportunity to prove he is ready for selection.

Fletcher missed the defeat by Arsenal at the weekend after suffering a broken hand on international duty with Scotland.

Chris McCann (knee) and Steve Caldwell (groin) remain sidelined as the Clarets attempt to climb out of the relegation zone.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has a number of injury concerns going into the midweek encounter.

Glenn Whelan is the latest to need treatment after suffering a hamstring problem.

Matthew Etherington (knee), Danny Higginbotham (back) and James Beattie (knee) are all doubtful.

Salif Diao is sidelined with a calf strain while Ryan Shawcross remains suspended.

Possible starting XIs

Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Carlisle, Cort, Fox, Eagles, Cork, Alexander, Bikey, McDonald, Nugent.

Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Faye, Collins, Huth, Lawrence, Delap, Whelan, Tuncay, Fuller, Kitson.

SkyBet
Click here for more betting