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Burnley’s Away Form Could Be the Difference Against Tottenham

By Alexander Balano

STRATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Michael Keane of Burnley warms up before the Premier League match between West Ham United and Burnley at London Stadium on December 14, 2016 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
STRATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Michael Keane of Burnley warms up before the Premier League match between West Ham United and Burnley at London Stadium on December 14, 2016 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham hosts Burnley tomorrow and they have a chance to pick up another three points at White Hart Lane.

Sunday will see two sides on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to their form.

Tottenham’s home form has seen Spurs go unbeaten in eight matches (six wins and two draws). They’ve won their last three home fixtures by a combined score of 11 to 2.

Granted, those games came against the likes of West Ham United, Swansea City and Hull City, three teams at the bottom five of the Premier League table, but, Spurs should beat easy opponents when presented with an opportunity. Which they have.

As for Burnley, they have not won on the road this season — going zero for seven (one draw and six losses). That one draw would be against Manchester United, a match that ended goalless.

In seven away matches, Burnley got outscored 16 to one. Conceding about 2.3 goals a game. An amount that doesn’t look as bad as it does until you see the actual scorelines: 3-0, 3-0, 3-1, 4-0, 2-0 and 1-0.

The fact that Tottenham are at home and haven’t lost, and Burnley are on the road and haven’t won, it’s quite easy to determine how this match will play out. Even Tyrone Marshall, a Burnley reporter from the Lancashire Telegraph, believes that the Clarets will struggle in this game.

“Jekyll and Hyde.” Marshall said of Burnley’s form this season (via Spurs’ official website).

“At home they’ve been very good, five wins out of nine, some excellent performances and they’ve scored goals. They’ve beaten Liverpool and Everton at home and gave Arsenal and Man City tough games.”

“Away from home it’s a different story. One point from seven games and only one goal scored, and that [being] a penalty. There’s been some really poor away performances and it’s a major concern for Burnley.”

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Despite poor performances on the road, there’s room for some optimism as Burnley did much better in the second half against West Ham United than the opening 45 minutes. It’s not much, but it is something at the very least.

“In the second half they were better than they have been and they had a couple of good chances to get something out of the game, but it wasn’t to be.” Tyrone Marshall continued.

“It was another slow start though and the first half display left a lot to be desired. They almost got away with a sloppy first half but fell behind on the stroke of half-time, and it was the least West Ham had deserved.”

Perhaps Burnley’s struggles away from home has been due to tactical changes. Mauricio Pochettino has seen the same results himself when he has been forced to tweak his system due to injuries.

But against Spurs, Sam Dyche could be expected to use the same 4-4-2 formation he deployed on Wednesday against West Ham, according to Tyrone Marshall. It might not make much of a difference but could produce a surprise 1-1 draw. Maybe.

Next: Burnley Will Look to Stretch Tottenham

“Dyche has changed it tactically a few times away from home but I’d expect he will go with the same 4-4-2 formation that he used against West Ham on Wednesday, and probably the same players. Johann Berg Gudmundsson has been out with a hamstring injury but is getting closer to a return.” Marshall added.

“It’s a big ask for Burnley to turn their away form around at White Hart Lane, but there were signs of improvement in the second half at West Ham. You’d expect a Tottenham win, but let’s go for a surprise 1-1.”