The Daly Brief | Burnley vs Spurs, Premier League | OneFootball

"Burnley’s draw at Liverpool showed their resolve, fighting back from 1-0 down to draw at the Champions. So how will Spurs line-up, given the tactical tweak that led to victory over Borussia Dortmund?"

Rob Daly, official club commentator, presenter and pundit

How did Burnley get a result at Anfield?

While Burnley are without a win in 13 league games, the fight displayed at Liverpool was further proof they’re a group that haven’t given up yet. In truth, they were fortunate to only be 1-0 down on Merseyside at half-time. A string of smart saves from Martin Dubravka kept the hosts at bay while Dominik Szoboszlai hit the bar with a penalty, prior to Florian Wirtz’s slick opener before the break. Burnley exerted some of their own pressure in the second half, with Alisson forced into a good save to stop Ibrahima Konate scoring an own goal, before Marcus Edwards smashed home for 1-1. Liverpool had 32 shots, generating an xG value of 2.95 – but the Clarets’ desire and character, as well as their organisation in a low block, earned them a point. “The discipline we showed today, the commitment and the bravery and courage,” were the reason for the result, Scott Parker explained afterwards. “Overall we were superb.”

Will Marcus Edwards start?

Edwards has been getting far more minutes in the team since the start of December – and after a claiming an assist in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United, prior to his goalscoring trip to Anfield, the 27-year-old looks set to keep his place in the starting XI. “I have seen a spring (in his step) over the last few weeks. When players don't get game time you see different habits. He’s been superb and has been given the opportunity,” said Parker. Edwards was an academy player at Spurs, famously compared in terms of technique to Lionel Messi by Mauricio Pochettino, and scored for Sporting Clube de Portugal in N17 during a 1-1 Champions League draw back in October 2022. A low centre of gravity, a good turn of pace and quick feet make him a threat – and he’ll be full of confidence after scoring a first ever Premier League goal.

How are Burnley playing?

Edwards will most likely take his place in Burnley’s three-man attack, with Scott Parker reverting to something closer to a 3-4-3 or 5-4-1 in recent games. Narrow forwards play behind a central striker, Armando Broja in the most recent game, while Lucas Pires and Kyle Walker, another former Spurs name, provide the width as the wing-backs, with Pires generally invited to play higher down the left. Burnley had a resolute defence in the Championship (16 conceded in 46 games) – but they have the league’s second worst defence this season (42 conceded) and the lowest xG (18.5). But while they have the fewest number of big chances created by Opta’s metric too (31) they’ve converted 48.4% of those opportunities – the best number in the Premier League.

Will Spurs repeat the Borussia Dortmund approach?

With 13 players unavailable, Spurs matched up to Dortmund in the main on Tuesday night, playing 3-4-3, in the Tuesday 2-0 win, with the limited resources available. While Djed Spence often popped up as something close to a winger, he was the left-wing-back with Destiny Udogie playing in the back three due to Micky van de Ven’s absence. Couple the team’s shape with some very effective pressing, led by striker Dominic Solanke, and Spurs often dispossessed the visitors from Germany high up the pitch to work openings. “I think we started exceptionally well, on top of them, pressed them, calm on the ball, produced chances, created opportunities,” said Thomas Frank afterwards. “Second half, I would have loved us to keep the ball a bit better. I would have loved to have killed it with some of the big chances, just the 3-0, but we know in football it's never easy." Lucas Bergvall’s new injury is a painful one to take, but players are back in contention and give Spurs’ head coach greater options – Mathys Tel, van de Ven, Yves Bissouma, Conor Gallagher, Radu Dragusin and AFCON champion Pape Matar Sarr.

Last time at Turf Moor...