Premier League: Traditionalists Set for Turf Moor Test

Burnley vs Tottenham Hotspur

Now here is a Premier League clash for the traditionalists, as two of English football’s great clubs meeting at one of English football’s famous old grounds.

Two clubs with pedigree and heritage; two clubs with a reputation for paying attractive football; two clubs who have witnessed the good times and the bad times (particularly the hosts).

I know of two lifelong friends from the Isle of Man who travel to this game. They travel by ferry and train together to Lancashire. One goes in the home end, the other in the away end.

They then, presumably, reflect on the 90 plus minutes they have seen and share tales of yesteryear. What stories they must have.

I wonder if they will be heading to Turf Moor again this weekend.

Talking Points

Burnley are far more in need of a kickstart to their season after two home defeats thus far, albeit against the champions Manchester City and an impressive Aston Villa.

Spurs, meanwhile, are three games in and have enjoyed some early season Premier League 2023 highlights with victories over Manchester United and Bournemouth following their opening weekend draw at Brentford.

Those results have made Spurs fans smile again after the sadness of losing Harry Kane to Bayern Munich on the eve of the new campaign.

They also have a midfielder who must feel like a new signing. Yves Bissouma was Antonio Conte’s first acquisition at Spurs last summer but made just three forgettable league starts after Christmas.

While James Maddison took the headlines in victory at Bournemouth, Bissouma, who has started all three games under new manager Ange Postecoglou this campaign, was again excellent.

The Bournemouth manager, Andoni Iraola, picked out the Mali international’s renewed form last weekend and his dynamism was evident throughout. The all-action midfielder, for whom Tottenham paid an initial £25 million, is among those reinvigorated so far by a fresh man at the helm.

In midweek, Postecoglou made nine changes for the League Cup clash at Fulham. Micky van de Ven and Richarlison were the only two players to remain in the starting XI from the weekend, with Ben Davies taking on the captain’s armband as Son Heung-min, James Maddison, and Cristian Romero were named on the bench.

I would expect them all to return for this one.

As for Burnley, it would be unfair to judge last season’ runaway Championship winners just yet. They were carved open too easily by Villa on Sunday and, after conceding two early goals, were always up against it.

Their best chance of getting a positive result in this one will be to keep it tight (they also conceded against City just four minutes in) as the learning curve in the top flight continues, a factor manager Vincent Kompany has been quick to acknowledge.

I do not think Burnley will go straight back down this season unlike the other two promoted clubs, and I do not think Spurs will finish in the top four.

However, few can argue they are not making potential progress under a Belgian and a Greek boss both beginning their first campaigns as top flight managers.

History

Historically, these two clubs have been evenly matched with 42 Burnley successes, 52 Spurs victories and 28 draws.

Their most recent matches in the top flight two seasons ago saw each record a 1-0 win at home.

Ben Mee, now of Brentford, netted the only goal as the Clarets enjoyed a 1-0 success at Turf Moor.

It was Kane who scored a penalty to reverse the scoreline in North London three months later.

That Burnley success in February last year remains one of only two wins in their last 17 clashes.

Their very first meeting came in the FA Cup first round in 1906 when goals from Peter Kyle and Vivian Woodward secured Spurs a 2-0 win at White Hart Lane.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Premier League 2023 betting odds are backing Spurs including 1X2 @ 1.85 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.07. The home team is priced 1X2 @ 3.35 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.40.

A 1X2 Draw has attractive odds of @ 3.85, while a re-run of their last meeting in this part of Lancashire will ensure you enjoy a payout of @ 13.50 with Correct Score.

If you fancy goals, how about over 3.00 @ 2.14 or Total Goals 4-6 @ 2.85? I don’t think there will be quite that many goals but I do think there will be a few, and I’m going for a draw.

 

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