Burnley's 21-game winless run at home in the league will be tested on Saturday when they host an in-form Portsmouth side. The Clarets have not won at Turf Moor in the Championship for over a year, a run of ten draws and eleven defeats that has contributed to their precarious league position of 22nd with just eight points from 12 games, a record of one win, five draws and six losses.
New manager Fabio Celestini has had little time to prepare for the fixture after being appointed earlier this week following Nicky Hayen's departure. That change came after a 4-1 defeat at Lincoln last Friday, a result that extended Burnley's recent run to two consecutive losses. The team's form over the last five matches is one win, two draws and two defeats, leaving them 17 points adrift of the top of the Championship. Their recent results include a 1-2 home defeat to Wolves on 16 October, where Jamie Vardy scored their goal, and a 2-2 draw with Charlton on 13 October, though they did secure a 4-0 win at Watford on 10 October.
Portsmouth arrive in excellent form, having lost just one of their last eight league games. They have taken ten points from their last four Championship fixtures, a sequence that has lifted them to 11th in the table. John Mousinho's side have also lost only one of their last three meetings with Burnley, adding to the scale of the challenge facing the hosts.
Defensive issues, particularly from set-pieces, have plagued Burnley this season. They have conceded a league-high nine goals from set-piece situations, with six of those coming directly from corners. This vulnerability will be a concern against any organised opponent, especially for a team that has let in 25 goals in total while scoring only 17, giving them a goal difference of minus eight. Despite these struggles, Burnley have historically held their own against Portsmouth, remaining unbeaten in the last three league encounters between the sides.
Fabio Celestini acknowledged the difficult situation in his first comments as boss. "I'm not going to sit here and say I'm happy with the way things have gone," he said. His immediate task is to organise a side that has conceded 25 goals this season, the third-worst defensive record in the division. Supporters can check the latest team news and the full fixtures list on the club site.
The match at Turf Moor kicks off on Saturday, 31 October, representing the next opportunity for Burnley to secure a desperately needed home victory and climb away from the relegation zone. Their top scorer in the recent heavy loss at Lincoln was Andréas Hountondji, who netted in the 39th minute.
Background and full detail: The Burnley Express
