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2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 29
Burnley v Brentford
Turf Moor
Burnley, England
Saturday, 16 March 2024
Kick-off is at 17h00
Brentford will be determined to snap a five-game winless run in the Premier League when they lock horns with struggling Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, March 16.
The Bees find themselves just five points clear of the relegation zone in 15th place after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in a London derby at the Emirates Stadium on March 9.
Thomas Frank's side had held West London neighbours Chelsea to a 2-2 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium the previous weekend before slumping to their fourth loss in five matches.
Brentford were fortunate that Everton (16th) and Nottingham Forest (17th) also lost on matchday 28 to remain one and two points behind them respectively.
The Clarets are entrenched in the drop zone after they were denied three vital points as Danny Ings scored a dramatic 91st-minute equaliser to earn West Ham a 2-2 draw at the London Stadium on March 9.
The stalemate in the capital halted a four-game losing streak for Vincent's Kompany's side, who are still 10 points adrift of safety in 19th position and ahead of rock-bottom Sheffield United on goal difference.
In team news, the hosts continue to be without Aaron Ramsey, Luca Koleosho (both knee), Nathan Redmond, Jordan Beyer (both thigh) and Lyle Foster (surgery), while Joshua Dasilva, Rico Henry (both knee), Ben Mee, Ethan Pinnock, Bryan Mbeumo (all ankle), Aaron Hickey (thigh) and Kevin Schade (groin) remain unavailable for the visitors. Sergio Reguilon (thigh) and Christian Norgaard (knock) could come into contention though.
Kompany reserved special praise for David Datro Fofana, who scored against the Hammers to make it three goals in seven appearances since joining Burnley on loan from Chelsea in January.
"It seems like he's growing into the season and into the team as well," the Belgian said. "We will need performances like the performance he gave against West Ham. He was outstanding.
"The entire performance from Fofana was outstanding and we've needed it. Hopefully he can continue like that from now until the end of the season."
Frank hailed the performance of his players against the high-flying Gunners and felt a win was on cards had they taken their chances in the second half.
"The mentality, the effort, the shift, the personality this team is showing, should make all the Brentford fans unbelievably proud," the Dane said.
"How much they fought for the badge was incredible, against the in-form team in the Premier League. Everyone, rightly so, was praising Arsenal; they have scored however many goals in the last seven games and we kept them to a very, very, very minimum.
"You could argue that we had the bigger chance, with Nathan Collins at 1-1 in the second half. These are the players who will help us."
Head-to-Head (Previous Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 3
Burnley wins - 1
Brentford wins - 2
Draws - 0
Premier League Matchday 29 fixtures:
Saturday, March 16
17h00: Burnley v Brentford
17h00: Luton Town v Nottingham Forest
19h30: Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur
Sunday, March 17
16h00: West Ham United v Aston Villa
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