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Burnley logo
Championship | Gameweek 19
Dec 6, 2024 at 8pm UK
Turf Moor
Middlesbrough logo

Burnley
vs.
Middlesbrough

Preview: Burnley vs. Middlesbrough - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Friday's Championship clash between Burnley and Middlesbrough, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Burnley will look to claim a fifth consecutive victory when they welcome Middlesbrough to Turf Moor for Friday's Championship clash.

The visitors will also be looking to continue their impressive run of form after winning four of their last five matches.


Match preview

Manager of Burnley Scott Parker on August 31, 2024© Imago

After suffering relegation from the Premier League, Burnley are looking to secure an immediate return to the top flight under the watch of Scott Parker, who was brought in as Vincent Kompany's replacement in the summer.

Parker's side are currently sitting in second place and just two points adrift of Championship leaders Sheffield United after winning 10, drawing six and losing just two of their 18 league matches.

The Clarets have built significant momentum in recent weeks, having won four consecutive matches without conceding.

Burnley dispatched Swansea City, Bristol City and Coventry City, before they recorded a 2-0 away victory in Saturday's away clash with Stoke City thanks to Jay Rodriguez's opener and Josh Brownhill's penalty.

Impressively, the promotion hopefuls have recorded five consecutive shutouts since Millwall's Jake Cooper beat James Trafford on November 3, taking their overall tally to 12 clean sheets for the season.

Burnley will hope their strong backline can help preserve their unbeaten home record, having won five and drawn three of their eight league matches at Turf Moor this term.

Middlesbrough's Ben Doak pictured on October 27, 2024© Imago

Middlesbrough will be looking to boost their own promotion hopes on Friday, with Michael Carrick's side sitting six points adrift of Burnley in sixth position.

Last month, Boro scored 15 goals in a three-game winning run before they were stopped in their tracks by a narrow 1-0 home defeat against Blackburn Rovers.

They picked themselves up from that disappointment to return to winning ways in Saturday's clash against Hull City, with Tommy Conway netting a brace to help his side clinch a 3-1 victory at the Riverside Stadium.

After producing another free-scoring display, Middlesbrough have now racked up 32 goals in 18 matches this season, making them the league's second-highest scorers behind Norwich City.

They have also scored more away goals than any other team in the Championship, giving them some confidence that they can trouble a Burnley side that boasts the division's best defensive record.

However, Middlesbrough have tended to struggle in recent games against the Clarets, having failed to win any of their last six head-to-head meetings (D2, L4) since they recorded a 1-0 home win in December 2015.

Burnley Championship form:

Middlesbrough Championship form:


Team News

Burnley's Lyle Foster pictured on August 31, 2024© Imago

Burnley are unable to call upon Manuel Benson, Aaron Ramsey and Lyle Foster, although the trio are making progress in their respective injury recoveries.

Hjalmar Ekdal, Joe Worrall and Hannes Delcroix are in contention to feature in the matchday squad after getting minutes for the Under-23 side in midweek.

Lucas Pires will be hoping to get the nod over Bashir Humphreys on the left side of the defence after dropping down to the bench on Saturday.

As for the visitors, they remain without the services of Tommy Smith, Darragh Lenihan and Alex Bangura due to injury.

Seny Dieng is set to return to the squad after recovering from illness, while Riley McGree and Rav van den Berg are looking to prove their fitness in time for Friday's contest.

Luke Ayling and Matt Clarke will be looking to earn a recall after dropping to the bench for the 3-1 win over Hull.


Burnley possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Pires; Cullen, Laurent; Anthony, Sarmiento, Koleosho; Rodriguez

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Brynn; Ayling, Edmundson, Clarke, Borges; Barlaser, Hackney; Doak, Azaz, Burgzorg; Conway


SM words green background

We say: Burnley 1-1 Middlesbrough

Burnley will be full of confidence after winning each of their last four matches, while they also boast an unbeaten record at Turf Moor this season.

With that in mind, the Clarets will be targeting all three points in Friday's contest, but we think they may have to settle for a point when they face a Middlesbrough side that will be in high spirits after winning four of their previous five matches.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Written by
Ben Sully

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Data Failed

Who will win Friday's Championship clash between Burnley and Middlesbrough?

Burnley
Draw
Middlesbrough
Burnley
60.0%
Draw
20.0%
Middlesbrough
20.0%
5
Collect / Create New Data
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1812422591638
2Burnley1810622361736
3Leeds UnitedLeeds18105331131835
4Sunderland1896326131333
5Middlesbrough1893632211130
6Watford189362624230
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom1861021912728
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn178452117428
9Norwich CityNorwich186753527825
10Millwall176742015525
11Bristol City186752421325
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds187472227-525
13Swansea CitySwansea186571817123
14Stoke CityStoke185671922-321
15Derby CountyDerby185582224-220
16Coventry CityCoventry184682427-318
17Oxford UnitedOxford Utd184682028-818
18Preston North EndPreston183961725-818
19Luton TownLuton1853102033-1318
20Cardiff CityCardiff184591728-1117
21Plymouth ArgylePlymouth184591838-2017
22Hull City183691726-915
23Queens Park RangersQPR182971526-1115
24Portsmouth162771830-1213


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