Burnley will host fellow newly promoted Luton Town in the Premier League on Friday. This week, both teams had FA Cup misdeeds to make up for. The Hatters were forced to play a rematch against Bolton Wanderers. The Clarets exited the competition with a 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
Preview (Burnley vs. Luton Town)
Spurs were initially helpless against Vincent Kompany’s resolute backline in the FA Cup. Burnley gave another Champions League candidate a serious run for their money. Burnley concluded 2023 with a heroic effort against Aston Villa, despite coming away empty-handed. A repeat at Turf Moor looked likely, but with 78 minutes remaining, Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro scored an incredible long-range goal into the top corner to send Burnley packing in the third round and consign Kompany’s team to their third straight defeat.
Having presided over a humiliating 5-2 loss to Tottenham in September, Kompany understandably praised last weekend’s efforts as a “clear sign of improvement” from his players, who now just have Premier League games left to concentrate on until the conclusion of the season. Whatever happens during a compressed Premier League game, Burnley will stay in 19th place below the dotted line. This is because their opponents, Luton, are four points ahead of them. Sheffield United, who are two points below the Clarets in the standings, are off this coming weekend.
The Hatters had a 63% possession rate and 18 shots on goal. They were unable to break past the tough Trotter’s defense. Should they lose steam in the struggle for survival, they may very possibly face the Trotters in Championship play the following season. Luton can escape the Premier League drop zone with a third victory from four top-tier games. They started with back-to-back victories over Sheffield United and Newcastle United before losing a thrilling five-goal thriller against Chelsea. The replay will take place at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Tuesday.
Team News
In Burnley’s FA Cup loss to Tottenham, two fresh injury concerns surfaced. Charlie Taylor left the game midway through the second half with a shoulder ailment. Kyle Foster was taken out at halftime with an ankle issue. Given that Foster’s shoulder injury has been characterized as “chronic” and that Taylor’s injury is expected to be minor, Kompany is hopeful that either Connor Roberts or Ameen Al-Dakhil will be available to fill in this weekend should the need arise. Long-term absentee Luca Koleosho (knee) is clearly out of contention for the hosts, although Hjalmar Ekdal (knee) and Jordan Beyer (thigh) should both recover from their afflictions in time for the crunch bottom-of-the-table duel, where Sander Berge will also return from suspension.
Issa Kabore, the right-back for Edwards’ Luton who did not play against Bolton. He has left to play for Burkina Faso in the Africa Cup of Nations. Captain Tom Lockyer continues to recuperate from his traumatic cardiac attack. The green light to play this weekend should not be granted to Marvelous Nakamba (knee), Reece Burke (thigh), or Dan Potts (thigh). The Hatters also missed Carlton Morris due to a calf issue against Bolton, though Edwards is optimistic that the striker was merely experiencing cramps. While Morris should therefore be ready for the trip to Turf Moor, recalls for Jacob Brown and Andros Townsend should be in order, although the former was absent from the FA Cup team entirely.
Burnley 1-1 Luton Town
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