Burnley vs Sheffield: A Battle for Survival
Just about every week, the English Premier League has one or two standout matchups. Sometimes it’s a clash between two of the best clubs in the world and other times it's a hotly contested historic derby. This week, however, the most intriguing match is a battle at the bottom of the league as last place Burnley hosts 18th place Sheffield United.
Photo Credit: SI.com
While the 2023-24 campaign has been full of upsets, close matches, and all-around stellar play near the top of the table, this season has also been brutal for teams near the bottom. Newly promoted sides Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United have all struggled to adjust to the pace and skill of the EPL. The trio had occupied all of the relegation spots for consecutive weeks but, due to the 10-point deduction awarded to Everton and a recent Luton Town win, the only two remaining in the drop zone are Sheffield and Burnley.
Both the Blades and Clarets are in search of just their second top-flight victory this season. A win this weekend could be pivotal in the relegation battle as it seems that the talent gap between the top and bottom of the EPL this year is one of the widest in recent memory. The improvements of traditional mid-table squads like Aston Villa, Brighton, West Ham, Brentford, and arguably even Crystal palace, has meant that the number of “winnable” games for newly promoted teams has dwindled.
After lighting the EFL championship ablaze with a progressive and ambitious style of play under the direction of manager Vincent Kompany, Burnley has found that playing expansive soccer in the EPL is not for everyone. The Clarets have been hammered on numerous occasions this season and the squad’s 10 goals this season is the lowest tally in the league. While Burnley has the worst offensive record in the league, Sheffield holds claim to the worst defense, with 34 goals conceded.
A key this weekend will be the midfield for both teams. With Burnley and Sheffield suffering from a lack of real quality around the goal, the contest could be decided by which team is able to retain a majority of the possession and in turn create the more chances. It’s here where Burnley’s background as a possession-based team could pay dividends. Despite the Clarets’ failures this season, midfielders Josh Brownhill and Luca Koleosho have been bright spots.
For Sheffield and manager Paul Heckingbottom, the offense will most likely run through midfielder Oliver Norwood. The Northern Ireland international has proved to be effective at transitioning the Blades from defense to attack with an impressive repertoire of passes. Norwood is joined in the middle by Gustavo Hamer whose performances this season have resulted in one or two highlight worthy moments.
Burnley against Sheffield might not be everyone's cup of tea in terms of quality, but when it comes to meaningful matches, you’ll be hard pressed to find a match with more weight on it this season.
