Prediction and odds for the game: Aston Villa (3/4) vs Burnley (7/2)
We are backing the home win
When: Thursday, 17th December 2020, Kick-off 18:00
Where: Villa Park
On Thursday night, Aston Villa host Burnley at Villa Park in the Premier League, as the home side look to move back up what is a congested section of the top-flight table.
Aston Villa
Despite a good start to the season, Dean Smith’s team are in the bottom half of the Premier League table before Wednesday night’s matches. If results go their way Villa could finish the gameweek in sixth-place in the table.
The home side’s recent form has been inconsistent in the English top-flight, as a 1-0 win at Midlands rivals Wolves last time out means that Villa have won two and lost four of their last six outings in the Premier League. The victory at Molineux was a rare low-scoring game for the Villans, as their previous five league matches had all produced over 2.5 goals.
Villa have a woeful recent home record in the top-flight, losing their last three league matches at Villa Park, while also conceding at least two goals in their previous four Premier League matches on home soil.
The team from the Midlands have a decent recent record against Burnley, as Villa have won four of the last six competitive meetings.
Burnley
After a disastrous start to their Premier League campaign, things are now looking up for Sean Dyche’s team, as the Clarets head into this game having suffered just one defeat in their last five league outings. A 1-0 win at Arsenal last time out means that the Lancastrian’s have now taken four points from games with Everton and the Gunners. The improvement in form has moved the Clarets out of the relegation zone.
One factor that has been key to Burnley’s recent mini-revival has been that the Clarets are now keeping clean sheets again. A record of three clean sheets in their last five league game is certainly an improvement on their early season form. The return of their first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope from injury has certainly helped defensive matters.
The Clarets rediscovery of their defensive solidity has contributed to four of Burnley’s last five Premier League matches producing under 2.5 goals.
The win against Arsenal ended a five-game winless run on their travels for Sean Dyche’s team. The visitors have still only scored one goal in their last four away games in the English top-flight, though.
Conclusion
Villa seem to play better away from home than at home, while Burnley seems to have returned to some sort of solid form of late. We are backing the home team to nick a win in this clash, though, as we believe in the likes of Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins they have the attacking players to penetrate that Burnley defence.
However, we believe that this could be a tight and low-scoring game, so are also backing under 2.5 goals scored. This is simply because we believe that Burnley will once again be solid in defence.
Verdict: We are backing the home win at odds of 3/4 and/or under 2.5 goals scored at evens (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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Who will emerge victorious from this clash?
