Battle of the underdogs: prediction for Burnley vs Derby, June 19
On Saturday, September 19, Turf Moor in Lancashire will stage a fiercely contested Championship clash as part of the eighth round of the English second tier: Burnley will face Derby County. The start of the new season in England’s uncompromising and physically demanding second division has delivered a brutal shock to both clubs, turning this meeting between two struggling sides into a genuine battle for survival and a chance to restore their psychological confidence.
Burnley have made a shockingly poor start to the current campaign. After the opening rounds, the Clarets sit at the bottom of the table in 24th place with a disastrous three points to their name. The hosts’ biggest problem remains complete disorganisation in defence, frequent positional errors from the centre-backs and an inability to maintain concentration at the end of each half. Tactically, Burnley are trying to impose a physical style built around a high volume of crosses and long balls, but they are desperately short of creativity in the final third. At Turf Moor, the hosts must take risks from the opening whistle, commit numbers forward and play solely for the win if they are to end their miserable run of results.
Derby County occupy 22nd place with four points, sitting dangerously close to the relegation zone. The team has shown plenty of resilience, but they are suffering from a serious lack of quality in the attacking line. The visitors’ game plan is built around a compact mid-block, tough physical battles in the centre of the pitch and disrupting the opposition’s passing combinations. Away from home, the Rams traditionally sit back and concede possession, waiting for their opponents to make mistakes at set pieces.
The tactical script at Turf Moor promises to be tight and cagey, with a battle for every ball. Burnley will look to pin their opponents back through an early onslaught, but the intense pressure and defensive errors are unlikely to allow the hosts to hold on to their advantage.
Prediction
I believe the teams will produce an entertaining game, surprising their fans. My prediction: both teams to score – YES at 1.74
