Tottenham vs Burnley preview, team news, stats, H2H and prediction

Tottenham Hotspur draw their 2024 curtain open as they clash against Burnley in the FA Cup third round at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

Tottenham and Burnley, both former holders of the FA Cup, clash with aspirations to end their prolonged silverware droughts. Tottenham, who last lifted the trophy in 1991, have encountered some challenges under Ange Postecoglou but are keen to secure a piece of silverware this season.

The EFL Cup slipped away with a loss to Fulham, and now they face another Premier League side in their initial FA Cup match of the campaign. Fans with Tottenham tickets will be desperate for the club to enjoy a long run in the FA Cup as they have a rich history in the competition.

Having won the FA Cup eight times, Tottenham’s recent history in the competition have been marked by fifth-round exits in the past four years. However, they have recorded progress beyond the third round since the 2013/14 season when they got knocked out by Arsenal. Their quest for FA Cup glory sees them facing Burnley, a club with its only triumph in the competition dating back 110 years.

Merely three days after a setback with a 4-2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham rebounded to conclude 2023 on a positive note, securing a 3-1 home victory over high-flying Bournemouth in the Premier League on New Year’s Eve.

Pape Matar Sarr and Son Heung-min contributed goals, providing a farewell gift before heading to AFCON and the Asian Cup, respectively. Richarlison added a third, marking his fifth goal in as many games. Although Alex Scott pulled one back for the Cherries late in the game, it proved inconsequential as Spurs secured their 12th top-flight win of the campaign.

Ange Postecoglou’s side, currently fifth in the Premier League table, seized the opportunity with North London rivals Arsenal’s loss at Fulham. They now trail Arsenal by just one point in fourth place, keeping their slim title aspirations alive as they sit six points behind leaders Liverpool entering the second half of the season.

Ahead of their upcoming top-flight clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford, Tottenham turn their attention to the FA Cup, aiming to advance beyond the third round, a feat they’ve achieved 16 times in the last 17 seasons.

For Burnley, their primary focus remain on the Premier League relegation battle this season, but a successful cup run could boost morale and momentum. Burnley’s FA Cup history dates back to 1962, marking their last appearance in the final, while their sole victory occurred before World War I, defeating Liverpool 1-0. Despite a quarter-final appearance last season, Burnley was eliminated in the third round the previous year.

A year ago, Burnley dominated the Championship, poised to secure the title convincingly. However, having gained promotion to the Premier League, their current situation involves battling relegation following a run of 15 losses in their first 20 top-flight games this season.

Vincent Kompany expressed frustration over perceived ‘soft’ decisions that played a role in Burnley’s 3-2 defeat against title contenders Aston Villa.

Burnley controversially had a penalty appeal denied for a handball, and Sander Berge received two bookable offenses. Douglas Luiz’s 89th-minute penalty secured Aston Villa’s victory. The result leaves Burnley in 19th place in the Premier League, five points from safety.

Last season, Burnley reached the quarter-finals, a notable achievement marking their deepest run in the competition in two decades, ultimately losing to eventual winners Manchester City. As Burnley prepare for a crucial Premier League encounter against Luton Town, they first shift their focus to the FA Cup.

Tottenham v Burnley match details

Location: London, England

Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Date: Friday 5 January

Kick-off time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT

Referee: Sam Barrott

Assistant referees: Neil Davies & Mark Scholes

VAR: Darren Bond

Support VAR: Christopher Kavanagh

Assistant VAR: Stuart Burt

Match stats and head-to-head

• In the 19 head-to-head clashes between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley, Spurs secured victory in 12, suffered three losses, and drew four matches.
• Burnley have not clinched an away victory against Tottenham since 1983.
• Richarlison has netted five goals in his last five appearances
• Tottenham emerged victorious in seven of their last 10 encounters with Burnley.
• Tottenham conceded goals in their last five home games.
• Tottenham have not been eliminated before the third round of the FA Cup since the 2013/14 season.
• Burnley’s sole triumph over Tottenham in their last eight meetings was a 1-0 win in February 2022. Spurs won six and drew one.
• In previous FA Cup clashes, Spurs won five out of seven against Burnley, with the latest victory in a replay in the 2014/15 season.
• Burnley lost 10 of their last 11 away games against Tottenham, dating back to January 1983.
• Tottenham progressed from 16 of their last 17 FA Cup third-round ties, with the exception being a 2-0 loss to Arsenal in 2013/14.
• It’s been 33 years since Tottenham last lifted the FA Cup.
• Burnley have won only three of their last 15 away games in the FA Cup.
• Burnley’s last victory at Tottenham was in January 1983 in the League Cup, with a 4-1 win under former manager Brian Miller, who also reached the final as a player with Burnley in 1962.

Team News

Tottenham’s squad have been significantly impacted by international duties and injuries. Son Heung-Min, Pape Matar Sarr, and Yves Bissouma are representing their respective countries at the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ryan Sessegnon, James Maddison, Alfie Whiteman, Manor Solomon, Ivan Perisic, and Alejo Veliz are all sidelined due to various injuries.

On a positive note, Spurs will be boosted by the return of Oliver Skipp and Rodrigo Bentancur, with the latter making a surprising early comeback from an ankle injury. Dejan Kulusevski is back after serving a one-match suspension, and players like Fraser Forster, Eric Dier, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Bryan Gil are eager to make an impact and secure a spot in the starting XI.

Burnley face injury and suspension challenges for the upcoming match. Luca Koleosho, Hjalmar Ekdal, Jack Cork, and Jordan Beyer are sidelined with knee and thigh injuries. Sander Berge is suspended due to his dismissal in the previous match against Aston Villa. Josh Cullen’s availability is uncertain due to unspecified reasons, potentially leading to Aaron Ramsey featuring in midfield alongside Josh Brownhill.

In terms of lineup adjustments, Connor Roberts may return at right-back, and attacking options like Jay Rodriguez, Nathan Redmond, Mike Tresor, and Jacob Bruun Larsen are vying for a spot in Vincent Kompany’s starting XI.

Predicted starting line-up

Tottenham predicted starting lineup: Vicario; Porro, Royal, Davies, Udogie; Skipp, Bentancur, Lo Celso; Kulusevski, Richarlison, Johnson.

Burnley predicted starting lineup: Trafford; Roberts, O’Shea, Beyer, Taylor; Gudmundsson, Ramsey, Brownhill, Odobert; Amdouni, Foster.

Prediction

Ange Postecoglou’s side has recorded victories in their recent home matches against Everton and Bournemouth but the absence of Son’s efficiency and Sarr’s contributions in midfield will be a huge loss, but the early return of Rodrigo Bentancur from injury provides a significant boost.

Additionally, Giovani Lo Celso’s creative abilities have helped compensate for James Maddison’s absence.

The current Tottenham side tend to create and concede chances, with Son’s exceptional expected goals (xG) performance being crucial to their recent success. Although their League position says different,  Burnley have vastly improved since their earlier 5-2 defeat by Spurs in August and their intent to start a run of good results set the stage for another closely contested match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday night.