MATCH PREVIEW: Burnley vs. Ipswich Town

Burnley vs. Ipswich Town – Turf Moor

The Teams

Burnley

The final game of the 2013/14 season is upon these two sides with both sides having already secured their places in the nPower Championship for next season with wins in their last games.

Burnley fans would have hoped this season would be an improvement on the previous, but instead they’re on track for another mid-table finish with only one game remaining.

With the possibility of relegation looming over the Clarets for the majority of the second half of the season, a sense of relief lingers around Turf Moor after their 2-1 win at Molineux sealed their fate, and ensured safety.

Even with survival secured, manager Sean Dyche doesn’t want his side to relax and get complacent against Ipswich Town, a team who has also had fears of relegation this season. His side could finish tenth with a win at Turf this coming Saturday, which would guarantee them a finish above local rivals Blackburn Rovers for the first time in 33 years – and who said there was nothing to play for?

On the other hand, a loss could see them fall within one point of the relegation zone, if other results go against them, which just typifies the Championship this season.

Ahead of this game, other than left-back Ben Mee and top goalscorer Charlie Austin, the Clarets will have a full squad to choose from and it’s likely that with Sean Dyche wanting to end the season on a high, he will keep his faith in the team that claimed the three points in a hard-fought away win at Wolves last weekend.

Last 5 Games

The Lancashire side have a points haul of seven from a possible 15 from their last five games, with a win at home to League One bound, Bristol City on 6^th April and the other four points coming from last weekend’s win at Wolves and a last minute point at Turf Moor against league winners Cardiff.

These previous five games have also featured two losses, both 1-0 defeats to Blackpool and Leeds on the 13^th April and 16^th April respectively.

06.04.2013 – Burnley 3-1 Bristol City

13.04.2013 – Blackpool 1-0 Burnley

16.04.2013 – Leeds 1-0 Burnley

20.04.2013 – Burnley 1-1 Cardiff

27.04.2013 – Wolves 1-2 Burnley

Four of the seven points they have picked up since the beginning of April have been from home fixtures, so the Clarets will be hoping they can carry on the trend with another win at home to Ipswich, but with the Blues solid defensive record since the arrival of Mick McCarthy, they’re going to have to work hard for it.

One to Watch:

The one to watch for Burnley in this fixture is right-back Kieran Trippier. The pacy wingback has all the attributes to bomb forward on the overlap and get in behind defences, and put dangerous balls into the box for strikers Martin Paterson and Wales international Sam Vokes. 

Tripper signed for Burnley from Manchester City on a three-and-a-half-year deal after initially signing on a season long loan from the 2011/12 Premier League champions.

The Tractor Boys are going to need to do everything they can to prevent the young Englishman from getting in behind them and putting back into key areas. This will be where Town left-back Aaron Cresswell will really need to be at his best.

The 22-year-old right-back has made 47 appearances this year, creating 16 goals, picking up six yellow cards and one red.

Ipswich Town

To say it’s been a rollercoaster of a 2012/13 season for Ipswich Town and their fans is an understatement, as they finally secure their Championship status for 2013/14.

This season the Blues have seen one manager leave, and another arrive with the sacking of Paul Jewell on October 24^th with Town sitting in 21^st position with a shocking seven points.

The arrival of the experienced Mick McCarthy was music to the ears of Town fans who were desperate to see their side progress up the league table and steer away from relegation.

Since the former Wolves boss arrived at Portman Road in November, the Blues have picked up a miraculous 53 points from a possible 72, which is what Town fans could have only dreamed when they heard of his arrival.

Blues fans were almost residing to the fact that they could be watching League One football next season, with the abject performances from Paul Jewell’s side and only two wins in their first 14. Not only was it the results that fans were most displeased with, it was the manner in which they were coming – the 6-0 loss away to Blackpool, and the 2-1 home defeat to Derby in particular.

In terms of the team selection for Saturday’s trip to Lancashire, McCarthy has promised to ring the changes, but will be sticking with his favored 4-4-2 formation.

This will no doubt be the time for fringe players such as Michael Chopra, Aaron McLean and others to prove their worth should they wish to stay with the East Anglian side for next season.

Town have two injuries coming into this game, Paul Taylor who has a long-term foot injury are definitely ruled out, along with Josh Carson who suffers a broken toe.

Last 5 Games: 

Ipswich have had a fairly impressive last five games – picking up three wins, one draw, and a loss. Nine goals have also been scored by the Blues, six of these coming in the 3-0 home win to Crystal Palace and the other three last weekend at home to Birmingham City.

One thing that McCarthy has really instilled into Ipswich since arriving is their ability to keep the ball from hitting the back of the net. Four goals have been conceded throughout April, two of these from Hull City at Portman Road.   

Two of the five games have been away fixtures to Derby and Sheffield Wednesday which saw a last minute winner from skipper Carlos Edwards and a first Ipswich goal for on-loan midfielder Jay Tabb.

One of Burnley’s main weaknesses has been conceding goals, so this is the time for the Tractor Boys to show what they can do in front of goal, mainly for Michael Chopra who has only scored four goals in his 33 appearances for the club this season.

06.04.2013 – Derby 0-1 Ipswich Town

13.04.2013 – Ipswich 1-2 Hull City

16.04.2013 – Ipswich 3-0 Crystal Palace

20.04.2013 – Sheff. Wed 1-1 Ipswich

27.04.2013 – Ipswich 3-1 Birmingham City.

One to Watch:

The one to watch in this fixture is January signing Anthony Wordsworth who signed for Ipswich on January 30^th on a two-year deal with the option for a further year.

The 24-year-old has shown glimpses of what he can do off the bench in the five sub appearances he has made for McCarthy’s Ipswich.

His main strength is his vision and creativity when on the ball. He also has a good set piece taker, and was considered the dead ball specialist at former side Colchester. If he starts, the Blues will be looking to get him on the ball as often as possible to allow him to create and set up opportunities for the front-men.

As McCarthy is looking to give the fringe players an opportunity for the final game of the season, I believe this will be Wordsworth’s second start and will give him the chance to make an impact and help the team conclude the season with all three points at Turf Moor.

Previous Meetings:

From the last five meetings between the two sides, Ipswich have picked up ten points, with nine of the points coming from the three wins Town have over the Lancashire side and the other a 1-1 draw back in August 2010. 

Burnley have had just the one win - that being a dominant 4-0 win at Turf Moor in November 2011. This was Town's sixth straight defeat and goals from Sam Vokes, Jay Rodriguez and a second-half double from Chris McCann delivered the thumping to the suffering Tractor Boys. 

This seasons fixture saw Ipswich send Burnley back to Lancashire empty-handed after defeating them 2-1 with goals from Daryl Murphy and a later winner from on-loan striker DJ Campbell who responded to the 80th minute equaliser from Wales international Sam Vokes.