PREM: Burnley vs Fulham preview

Burnley vs Fulham preview

Burnley and Fulham clash in a pivotal relegation fixture on Saturday as the battle for survival intensifies.

Fulham remain second from bottom but can move to within a point of 16th-place Burnley with an away win.

Turf Moor has been a bogey ground for the Cottagers as Burnley are unbeaten in the last 26 meetings since Apr 1951, although Fulham did win the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage 4-2 in August.

Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri insists he still believes in his players despite last weekend's shock FA Cup loss to Sky Bet League Two club Oldham.

Fulham bowed out of the FA Cup's third round following a limp 2-1 home defeat, but Ranieri is confident the squad have reset their focus this week.

"I'm positive because I believe in this team and this club," said Ranieri. "But also Burnley think, 'if we kill Fulham we go up'.

"And for this reason, I think it's a very, very crucial match. Believe me, at the moment I never look at the table. Because I know where we are, staying under water and I want to go up!"

Tom Heaton is likely to keep his place in goal for Burnley while Phil Bardsley and Matt Lowton both have chances to start after recovering from knocks. Robbie Brady is suspended.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa is available for selection after recovering from an ankle problem that has seen him miss the last five games but Alfie Mawson remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Calum Chambers should return at centre-back after missing the Arsenal game due to terms of his loan contract from his permanent club.