Pressure mounts on Burnley ahead of Newcastle showdown
Burnley F.C. vs. Newcastle United F.C. starts at 19:30 [GMT] on Tuesday, December 30, at Turf Moor.
October 26 was the last time Burnley [LLLDD] tasted victory in the Premier League. Since then, a bleak run of nine winless matches [0W, 2D, 7L] has left Scott Parker’s side rooted in the relegation zone. A goalless draw away at Everton last weekend at least halted a run of defeats, but failing to register a single shot on target ensured frustration once again followed the Clarets, who sit 19th with just 12 points [3W, 3D, 12L]. Alarmingly, all three of Burnley’s league wins this season have come against fellow promoted sides [Sunderland and Leeds] and winless Wolves, highlighting their struggles against established top-flight opposition. Turf Moor has offered little comfort either, with the Clarets winless in their last five home league games [0W, 1D, 4L]. History also offers minimal encouragement ahead of this encounter, as Burnley have lost their last three league home meetings with Newcastle, despite scoring exactly once in all seven such fixtures [0W, 0D, 3L]. Indeed, Newcastle have won their last seven league matches against Burnley [7W, 0D, 0L], representing the Magpies’ joint-longest winning streak against a single opponent in the competition. Their problems are compounded by several absentees, with Axel Tuanzebe, Lyle Foster and Hannibal Mejbri away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while long-term injuries continue to sideline Zeki Amdouni, Jordan Beyer and Josh Cullen. Joe Worrall is also a doubt after picking up an issue in training. Armando Broja is expected upfront alongside Jaidon Anthony and Jacob Bruun Larsen when a 4—3—3 formation is deployed.
Newcastle [WLWDL] arrive at Turf Moor seeking a response after a narrow 1-0 Boxing Day defeat to Manchester United. Eddie Howe’s men dominated long spells of that contest but once again paid the price for blunt finishing, a recurring theme in away matches. The Magpies have won just one of their last 12 Premier League games on the road [1W, 4D, 7L], a run that has seen them slide to 14th in the table with 23 points [6W, 5D, 7L]. Defensive issues further complicate matters for Howe, with a lengthy injury list ruling out Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento, among others. Still, Newcastle’s outstanding recent record against Burnley will offer belief that they can end 2025 on a positive note and maintain their dominance in this fixture. A 4—3—3 setup is expected with the trio of Nick Woltemade, Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy in the attacking line.