Preview | Burnley (A)
The Game
Burnley v Argyle. Turf Moor. Tuesday, 1 October. 7.45pm. Sky Bet Championship.
The Opposition
Things looked ominous for the rest of the Championship when Burnley, relegated last season from the Premier League, began with a 4-1 win at fellow relegated side Luton Town and followed up with a 5-0 demolition of Cardiff City.
In their third game, the Clarets lost 1-0 at Sunderland, then drew at home with local rivals Blackburn Rovers. Two more wins followed – 1-0 at Leeds United and 2-1 at home to Portsmouth – before, on Saturday, they drew 0-0 at Oxford United.
The Gaffer
Scott Parker took over at Turf Moor in the summer, following the departure of former boss Vincent Kompany, to Bayern Munich. Parker had an excellent playing career, representing Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Newcastle United, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham. He played 18 times for England.
After his playing career, he was under-18s manager at Spurs, before taking a coaching post at Fulham. Eventually, he was given the top job at Craven Cottage, and in two years took Fulham up to the Premier League, and then back down again. The following season, he guided Bournemouth to second place in the Championship – Fulham, his previous side, were champions – but after a disastrous start to the Cherries’ Premier League campaign, Parker was sacked.
At the start of 2023, Parker had a short and unsuccessful stint at Club Brugge - and was out of work until the call from Burnley came in July this year.
The Squad
Josh Brownhill (below) leads the scoring charts for Burnley so far this season. Having started all seven league games, he has racked up three goals. The Clarets captain, 28, signed his first pro deal at Preston North End, and played 64 times in three years before moving to Bristol City. He moved to Burnley in 2020, and has been a regular in their midfield, including in three seasons in the Premier League.
Left-back Lucas Pires has caught the eye for Burnley this season, having joined in the summer. The 23-year-old began his career at the legendary Brazilian side Santos, and left his homeland for a loan spell at Cadiz, in Spain, last season. His move to Burnley cost a rumoured £2m, and he has settled in very quickly into life in Lancashire.
Another ever-present in the Burnley backline this season has been Maxime Esteve. The 22-year-old central defender emerged at Montpellier in France, moving through their ranks and being capped by the French Under-21 side. He spent some time on loan with Burnley in the Premier League last season and made that move permanent in the summer.
Recent Meetings
The last time Argyle played Burnley was in 2012, in a League Cup tie, which finished 1-1 after extra time. Burnley, two divisions above Argyle at the time, won the shoot-out. For the last league encounters you have to go back to the 2008/09 season, when Burnley won 2-1 at Home Park, with the away game ending 0-0.
Tickets
Tickets for Argyle’s Sky Bet Championship match at Burnley will remain on sale until 4pm on Tuesday, 1 October.
Tickets booked between now and the time they come off sale must be picked up from the Ticket Office at Turf Moor.
This match is all-ticket. Click here for a full update.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will wear their white away kit for this game.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin at 7.15pm, as Charlie Price is joined for the pre-match show by Brian McGlinchey. Commentary will be provided from Turf Moor by Nathan Albon and Guy Branston.
Match passes to watch this game are available only to certain international audiences. Click here for more information.
