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

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

Burnley will attempt to claim a second straight victory when they welcome struggling Portsmouth to Turf Moor for Saturday's Championship contest.

The Clarets are in fourth spot with 10 points to their name, while the visitors are languishing in the relegation zone after mustering three points from their five matches.

Match preview

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

Burnley made a fast start to their bid to secure an immediate return to the Premier League, claiming dominant wins over Luton Town and Cardiff City in their first two league matches of the season.

However, Burnley's early momentum was halted by a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland and a 1-1 draw against rivals Blackburn Rovers.

After mustering one point from two games, Scott Parker's troops mustered a positive response in their recent home clash against Leeds United, with Luca Koleosho scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 win at Elland Road.

As a result of their efforts in the opening five matches, Burnley will head into the weekend as the Championship's third-highest scorers while also boasting the joint second-best defensive record after conceding just three league goals this term.

The Clarets will be targeting another strong performance in their first meeting with Portsmouth since cruising to a 5-1 away victory in March 2012.

Callum Lang celebrates scoring Portsmouth's third goal on August 10, 2024 © Imago

After clinching the League One title last term, Portsmouth have experienced a difficult start to their first Championship campaign since 2011-12.

Pompey are one of three teams still waiting for their first league win of the season after drawing three and losing two of their opening five Championship matches.

John Mousinho's side kicked off the campaign with three consecutive league draws against Leeds United, Luton Town and Middlesbrough, before they slumped to a 3-1 home defeat against Sunderland.

Portsmouth experienced another difficult home outing in Sunday's clash against high-flying West Bromwich Albion, falling to a heavy 3-0 loss to leave them in 23rd position and with the joint-worst defensive record in the second tier.

Although Pompey have not visited Turf Moor since December 2011, they will attempt to take confidence from the fact they have avoided defeat in each of their last eight away games against Burnley.

Burnley Championship form:

Burnley form (all competitions):

Portsmouth Championship form:

Portsmouth form (all competitions):

Team News

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

Burnley are unable to call upon the services of Manuel Benson, Jordan Beyer, Hannes Delcroix, Hjalmar Ekdal, Aaron Ramsey and Nathan Redmond due to injury.

Bashir Humphreys was sent off in the closing stages of last weekend's clash, and the Chelsea loanee will now serve a one-match suspension.

Burnley hope to have Connor Roberts and Lyle Foster back available after the pair were forced to sit out the win over Leeds.

As for Portsmouth, they are unable to call upon Jacob Farrell, Colby Bishop, Kusini Yengi and Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Mark O'Mahony.

Deadline-day signing Ibane Bowat recently underwent surgering after sustaining a knee injury in training, and the former Fulham defender is set to be out of action for around six months.

In positive news, Regan Poole is set to feature in the matchday squad after making his long-awaited return from injury as a late substitute against West Brom.

Burnley possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Roberts, Worrall, Esteve, Pires; Laurent, Brownhill; Koleosho, Mejbri, Anthony; Flemming

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Norris; Swanson, Williams, McIntyre, Ogilvie; Pack, Dozzell; Blair, Lang, Murphy; Saydee

SM words green background

We say: Burnley 2-1 Portsmouth

Burnley have not claimed a competitive home win over Portsmouth since February 1982, but we think they will end that winless run when they face a Pompey side that will be low on confidence after suffering consecutive home defeats.

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

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