Burnley v Tottenham: Preview and starting line-ups

TEAM NEWS

Burnley

Striker Ashley Barnes is in fine form and should start, with recent signing Peter Crouch likely to be used as back-up from the bench. Burnley manager Sean Dyche will be without the injured trio of Aaron Lennon, Steven Defour and Jonathan Walters, however.

Tottenham

Harry Kane could make his return from injury against Burnley, but is unlikely to play from the beginning. Ben Davies and Eric Dier are also pushing for a place in the line-up having recovered from their respective injuries, while Danny Rose has returned to full fitness following a long rest and will probably start at left-back. This would mean Jan Vertonghen can return to his preferred centre-back position alongside Toby Alderweireld. Dele Alli remains out for Spurs.

MANAGERS' THOUGHTS

Burnley manager Sean Dyche on Tottenham's title chances and Harry Kane:

"Spurs are definitely title-contenders. They deserve to be factored in."

"He's a top striker and arguably one of the best around. He's a top class professional."

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino on Harry Kane's fitness and the threat Burnley pose:

"It is still not decided, for him he wants to play from the beginning. But it is our responsibility to always manage them in the best way. That doesn’t mean he isn’t going to start to game, maybe he starts or maybe not. We need to have another conversation with the coaching staff and then make the decision."

"Like always, we're going to find a very aggressive team. That's going to be the key – to match their aggressivity and challenge in this aspect and then try to impose our way to play. It's going to be tough, we know very well. We struggled a little bit to beat them in December."

FORM GUIDE

DID YOU KNOW?

Despite only being two-thirds through the season, Tottenham have already recorded a record number of Premier League away victories this season (11).

Burnley are unbeaten in seven Premier League matches.

Tottenham have kept a clean sheet on each of their last three visits to Turf Moor.

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Burnley: Heaton; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Hendrick, Westwood, Cork, McNeil; Barnes, Wood.

Tottenham: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Sissoko, Dier, Winks; Eriksen; Son, Llorente.