Match Pack: Burnley v Watford

• Burnley v Watford
• Premier League
• Turf Moor (Behind Closed Doors)
• Thursday June 25, 6pm BST

• Referee: Mike Dean
• Assistants: Darren Cann, Nick Hopton
• Fourth Official: Peter Bankes
• VAR: Martin Atkinson
• Assistant VAR: Daniel Cook

The Clarets will welcome Watford to Turf Moor hoping to put their heavy 5-0 defeat to Manchester City on Monday night behind them. But Sean Dyche's squad remains depleted due to injuries and contract expirations. Chris Wood was in good form this season before an Achilles injury, scoring 11 goals in 26 appearances and beating his tally for the last two seasons. In the reverse fixture the Hornets were beaten 3-0 after two late Burnley goals gave the Lancashire side their first away win of the season.

Watford may look to rotate their squad due to the busy fixture schedule, according to Assistant Head Coach Craig Shakespeare. He confirmed Kiko Femenía was withdrawn at the weekend as a precaution while Adam Masina was substituted due to cramp, suggesting both should be available on Thursday night. Only Gerard Deulofeu (cruciate ligament), Daryl Janmaat (knee) and Isaac Success (Achilles) are unavailable.

Burnley will be without strikers Chris Wood (Achilles) and Ashley Barnes (groin), meaning Jay Rodriguez and Matěj Vydra are once again likely to lead the line. Johann Berg Gudmundsson (calf) and Robbie Brady (groin) will also miss out, according to Sean Dyche. The Clarets will see Phil Bardsley return to their matchday squad after the full-back agreed a contract extension, but Dyche confirmed Jeff Hendrick, Joe Hart, Aaron Lennon and Adam Legzdins will all be leaving the club.

Craig Shakespeare, Watford Assistant Head Coach:

“We know that Sean will re-galvanise them and get them up for the game, so [the heavy defeat against Man City] can work both ways, of course.

“They'll be well up for the game, knowing what they're about and what they have been about.

“We have to give them the due respect they deserve, because of where they are in the table. Yes, they're a few players down, but they've still got their first 11, 12 good players.”

Sean Dyche, Burnley Manager:

“It will be good to see them [Watford].

“I thought they gave a good performance against Leicester, and no doubt they will try to do that against us.

“I think there’s only a handful of clubs that don’t have ups and downs. We need to make sure we’re on our metal to deliver in the coming games.”

Overall:<BR>

• Won 13, Drawn 10, Lost 20

Last Six:<BR>

• Nov 2019: Burnley 3-0 Watford (Premier League)
• Jan 2019: Watford 0-0 Burnley (Premier League)
• Aug 2018: Burnley 1-3 Watford (Gray, Deeney, Hughes) (Premier League)
• Apr 2018: Watford 1-2 Burnley (Pereyra) (Premier League)
• Dec 2017: Burnley 1-0 Watford (Premier League)
• Feb 2017: Watford 2-1 Burnley (Deeney, Niang) (Premier League)

April 12, 2003 – Burnley 4-7 Watford

In 2003 the Hornets visited Turf Moor where an on-loan Michael Chopra stole the show, scoring four of the seven goals. Wayne Brown opened the scoring after converting Neal Ardley’s corner. Micah Hyde scored a minute after the Golden Boys lost their lead, before Neil Cox netted from another corner. Chopra bagged a brace before half-time to give his side a 5-4 lead at the interval. The forward completed his hat-trick just after the hour mark and went on to net his fourth in injury time to round off an eventful game.

Gifton Noel-Williams

The striker began his professional career at Watford and went on to make 127 appearances over his seven-year spell. He was the club’s top goalscorer in the 1998/99 promotion-winning season at the age of 19, even more impressive considering he was absent from February due to a knee injury. He scored 33 goals for the Hornets before moving to Stoke City on a free transfer in 2003. He joined the Clarets two years later, where he made 51 appearances and scored seven goals.