Preview | Burnley (H)
The Game
Argyle v Burnley. Home Park. Wednesday, 22 January. 8pm. Sky Bet Championship.
The Opposition
Burnley are third in the Championship table, with 53 points from their 27 games. This season, the Clarets are defining the term ‘hard to play against’.
They have lost just twice in the league – to Sunderland, in the third game of the season, and away at Millwall, on 3 November. By coincidence, that this is the same week as Argyle last won a league game, against Portsmouth.
The other most notable thing about Burnley’s season is their parsimony at the back. They had conceded just nine goals all season, at a miserly rate of a goal just once every three games.
They have kept clean sheets in their last five games; however, they have only scored three in that time. Indeed, three of their last four games have been 0-0 draws: against Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Sunderland.
The Gaffer
Scott Parker took over at Turf Moor in the summer of 2024, 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
Burnley captain Josh Brownhill (below) has started 25 of Burnley’s 27 league games, with one sub appearance, and has scored nine goals. Brownhill started 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.
On loan from Bournemouth, Jaidon Anthony has impressed on the wing for Burnley this season. The 25-year-old, who has been with Bournemouth since he was 17, also had a loan spell last season, at Leeds United. This term, he has three goals, most recently playing from the right flank, but is able to operate on either wing.
It has been a real breakthrough season for CJ Egan-Riley. The central defender began at Manchester City, making one Premier League appearance, but moved on to Burnley in 2022. For two seasons, he spent most time out on loan, at Hibernian in Scotland, then in the Netherlands at Jong PSV. This season, though, he has been a key part in the best defence around.
Most Recent Meetings
Earlier this season, Argyle lost 1-0 at Burnley, with Josh Brownhill scoring the game’s only goal, from a penalty.
Before this season, 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 previous 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 are still available - click here to buy yours.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with the pre-match show at 7.30pm, hosted by Erin Black, who will be joined by Brian McGlinchey. Commentary will be provided from Home Park by Charlie Price and Marc Edworthy.
Match passes to watch this game are available in certain international territories. Click here for more information.
Sky Sports
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football.