Premier League football returns from its international hiatus, with Crystal Palace travelling to Burnley looking to extend their impressive unbeaten run.

The Eagles are currently on a run of six games without defeat, including defeating the champions Manchester City at the Etihad at the end of October.

But their hosts are also enjoying a small run of form – Sean Dyche’s side have lost just once in six league games but still find themselves languishing in the relegation zone.

  • Team News

Burnley will likely name the same side that drew 1-1 with Chelsea in their last game, with Maxwel Cornet and Chris Wood cleared for action after appearing for their national teams this week.

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The only new injury concern for The Clarets is that Ashley Barnes is unlikely to feature after picking up a knock during training and Matej Vydra, who scored the equaliser at Stamford Bridge, is likely to remain on the bench.

For Patrick Viera’s side, centre back Joachim Anderson is a doubt after suffering an injury throughout the break but should feature, while Will Hughes – who was linked to Burnley in the summer – is still out.

As is Eberechi Eze, but the winger could be named on the bench after featuring for the club’s under 23s side.

Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher will return to the side after his England senior debut against San Marino in the week.

  • Predicted line-ups

Burnley:

Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Gudmundsson, Brownhill, Westwood, McNeil; Cornet, Wood.

Crystal Palace:

Guaita; Ward, Anderson, Guehi, Mitchell; Gallagher, Kouyate, McArthur; Zaha, Benteke, Edouard.

  • Ones to watch

Chris Wood

The New Zealand international has failed to hit the heights expected of him so far this season, scoring just twice.

His overall performances have been sub-standard too, failing to keep hold of the ball in the way he has done for The Clarets over the past number of seasons.

However, since Cornet has gone alongside him in the frontline, he has started to link up play a lot better, with a partner to flick the ball to.

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Wood is more than a target man, though, easily able to run in behind his man as he did for his goal against Brentford.

He scored twice on international duty against Gambia and showed some good touches throughout – albeit against weaker opposition than he will face on Saturday.

But that should give him some confidence and should be starting to kick on in the League for his side over the winter period, especially if he is to get near his 12 goals from last season.

Conor Gallagher

Speaking of a man high on confidence after the international break, Gallagher is bound to be buzzing after his senior international debut.

After impressing for West Bromwich Albion last season, the central midfielder has carried that form into this campaign with a string of brilliant performances.

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His four goals make him the joint sixth highest scorer in the league and has created plenty of chances for the players ahead of him on the pitch.

Gallagher keeps possession ticking over with calm decision-making in the centre of the park, and wins it back just as easily – he is only second to Tyrick Mitchell in tackles in the Palace side.

Some of his chances have come from late runs into the box, and Burnley will have to be vigilant to spot this, something they haven’t been too good at in the past.

Give him his chance, and he will punish you, it is as simple as that.

  • Previous meeting

Crystal Palace 0-3 Burnley (Saturday February 13, 2021)

First half strikes from Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Jay Rodriguez followed by a wonderful volley from Matt Lowton earned Burnley a vital three points at Selhurst Park.

The Iceland wide man was allowed too much time in the box to turn and find the corner of the net after five minutes before Rodriguez’s headed from a corner five minutes later.

The Clarets controlled the first half and wrapped the game up two minutes after the interval when Lowton charged past two challenges, played a one-two with Rodriguez before smashing home a volley across the helpless Vicente Guaita.

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Ben Mee was withdrawn late on with a serious head injury that saw him leave on a stretcher, which was the only sore point on an otherwise perfect day at the office.

Last five meetings

Crystal Palace 0-3 Burnley (13/02/21)

Burnley 1-0 Crystal Palace (23/11/20)

Crystal Palace 0-1 Burnley (29/06/20)

Burnley 0-2 Crystal Palace (30/11/19)

Burnley 1-3 Crystal Palace (02/03/19)

  • How to watch

Burnley vs Crystal Palace is a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, November 20 at Turf Moor.

The game can not be watched live on television in the United Kingdom.

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