Burnley vs Leicester City: Sean Dyche’s Best Available Clarets Lineup

Burnley are set to host Leicester City at Turf Moor on Saturday night in the 112th meeting between the sides.

The Clarets currently sit in 17th place in the Premier League, just two points above the relegation zone and will be looking for three points to distance themselves from the drop. Manager Sean Dyche will rely heavily on his squad’s home record this campaign to secure a win against the Foxes and help them stay in the top division next season. 

3. Goalkeeper and Defenders

Tom Heaton

Tom Heaton (GK) – The English shot-stopper has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season, despite Burnley’s poor defensive record. Heaton will be looking to impress England manager Gareth Southgate after he was called up to the national team for this month’s European qualifiers.

Charlie Taylor (LB) – Taylor has featured in every Premier League match for the Clarets this season, starting 27 and being substituted on three times. The left-back will be tasked with containing the always-active Demarai Gray as well as tracking the overlapping runs of Youri Tielemans. 

Ben Mee (CB) – The 29-year-old defender has been in the heart of the defence in all 30 Premier League matches for Burnley this campaign. Mee will need to sure up his positioning for this match as Jamie Vardy will attempt to confuse the back-four with his dynamic runs between the centre-backs.  

James Tarkowski (CB) – Tarkowski has been Burnley’s best defender this season and his efforts were rewarded by a call up to the national team earlier this week. The 26-year-old will try and slow down Vardy and Maddison as they attempt to play off each other to confuse the defence. 

Phil Bardsley (RB) – Bardsley has been a consistent work horse on the right side of the defence since the turn of the year. The Scottish defender has regularly been beaten down the flank in recent weeks and will have to be positionally sound in order to keep up with the high-intensity Leicester attack.

2. Midfielders

Jack Cork,Tom Cairney

Dwight McNeil (LM) – The 19-year-old winger has been a dynamic playmaker for the Clarets since earning a regular spot in the squad at the end of December. McNeil has scored one goal and provided four assists in 13 Premier League appearances this campaign and will be keen on testing the Leicester defence when they push up the pitch.

Jack Cork (CM) – Cork will be tasked with protecting his back four as a defensive midfielder in this match. Leicester will be looking to connect through the middle between Vardy and Maddison, so Cork will have to position himself well to cut out these passes before they lead to any free shots.

Ashley Westwood (CM) – Westwood will sit in the middle of the park next to Cork and will look to be the main man pulling the strings at Turf Moor. Westwood has seven assists in all competitions for the Clarets and will look to spring his squad on the counter whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Jeff Hendrick (RM) – The 27-year-old Irishman has been deployed on the right flank in both games under new manager Brendan Rodgers. Hendrick will do his best to relieve the pressure put on the defence and make runs down the right channel to put some good crosses in for his forwards. 

1. Forwards

Ashley Barnes,Chris Wood

Ashley Barnes (FW) – Barnes will has a very long day ahead of him against a very strong Leicester defence. Barnes will be expected to hold up the ball for his team to get out of their own half, as well as trying to get on the end of any service put into the box by his wingers. Having scored ten goals in all competitions this season, Barnes will be keen on adding to his tally against the Foxes.

Chris Wood (FW) – The 27-year-old centre-forward leads the squad with ten Premier League goals this season. Wood will have to be on the same page as Barnes as they will look to combine between themselves to open up the Leicester back four. 

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