Burnley v Crystal Palace

Back Home
By TheLongside.co.uk
April 16 2006

The Longside brings you the team news ahead of the game with Crystal Palace on Easter Monday. Can the Clarets build on their unbeaten run against the high flying Eagles?

 Burnley v Crystal Palace

 

Back at the Turf

 

 

Just two days after our 0-0 draw at Hull, the Clarets entertain Crystal Palace at Turf Moor on Easter Monday, with Phil Bardsley our only injury worry ahead of the game with the Eagles.

 

Bardsley limped off at the KC Stadium just before half-time, and Cotterill will wait until Monday to see if the Manchester United man will be available. Otherwise, with the exception of long-term absentees Wayne Thomas and Danny Coyne, the Clarets will have a fully fit squad to choose from.

 

Palace meanwhile could welcome back giant defender 'One Size' Fitz Hall who sat out Palace's 2-2 draw with Crewe on Saturday. It is thought that it will be a game too soon though for midfielder Jobi McAnuff who also missed the game with Crewe with an ankle injury. One player who will certainly miss the game is defender Danny Butterfield, still recovering from a pelvic injury.

 

The Eagles lost 5th place to Preston on Saturday after throwing away a two goal lead to the lowly Alex. Their play-off place was confirmed though due to Wolves and Cardiff failing to capitalise on Palace dropping points.

 

The main goal threat from Palace will once again come from strikers Andy Johnson and Clinton Morrison. Johnson's two goals against Crewe took him to 14 for the season, an impressive return from 29 starts this season. Morrison meanwhile has scored 12 times this season in the league.

 

The Clarets as we know are safe for another season, and Palace are safely in the play-offs, so one could be forgiven for thinking this is a nothing game. Burnley though will be looking to continue our unbeaten run which now stands at five games, whilst Palace will be looking to finish as high as possible in the play-offs to benefit from home advantage in the second leg of the play-offs, and potentially easier games, if there is such a thing.

 

It's going to be very difficult to improve on our final points total from last season, we finished with 60 points, which would mean we would have to win all of our last three games. Let's hope that we can achieve a good finish to the season which will boost fans' morale for next season, and hopefully help the finances through season ticket sales.

 

Come on you Clarets!