Burnley vs Manchester United Prediction & Match Preview – Wednesday, 7 January

Burnley vs Manchester United prediction and match preview for Wednesday, 7 January. The Premier League clash at Turf Moor promises to be an intriguing encounter as Burnley, known for their resilient home performances, host Manchester United—a club with a rich history and strong ambitions in the league.

Scheduled for Wednesday, 7 January, this fixture at Turf Moor could have significant implications for both teams. Burnley will look to make the most of their home advantage, while Manchester United aim to secure crucial points in their pursuit of a top-four finish. With both sides eager to make a statement, this Premier League matchup is one to watch closely.

Burnley vs Manchester United Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Manchester United to Win	1.7

Given the current form and squad depth of both teams, backing Manchester United to win at odds of 1.79 offers strong value. The Red Devils are pushing for European places and have a clear upper hand in terms of quality and recent performances.

• Burnley have failed to win in 11 consecutive matches, highlighting their ongoing struggle to secure points.
• Key injuries in Burnley’s squad, including Zeki Amdouni and Benson Manuel, significantly weaken both their attacking and defensive options.
• Manchester United’s recent victory over Burnley and historical dominance in this fixture suggest they have the tactical edge.

Betting Odds

Burnley host Manchester United at Turf Moor, and the betting odds suggest a difficult evening for the home side. Manchester United are favourites at 1.7, reflecting their superior form and squad depth. Burnley are priced at 4.66, providing a tempting return for those backing an upset.

Betting Tip	Odds
Burnley to win	4.66
Draw	3.91
Manchester United to win	1.7

The draw is set at 3.91, which could appeal to those expecting a tight contest. With United’s attacking prowess, punters may also find value in the over 2.5 goals market, especially considering Burnley’s potential to surprise at home.

Burnley Analysis & Past Performance

Burnley’s recent form has been disappointing, with no wins in their last five matches—three losses and two draws. Their most recent outing was a 0-2 defeat to Brighton, underlining their ongoing difficulties in securing victories. The team has managed only four goals in these fixtures, averaging just 0.80 goals per game, while conceding an average of 1.80 goals.

Home Side	Away Side	Outcome	League	Date
Brighton	Burnley	2 – 0 (Defeat)	Premier League	3 Jan 2026
Burnley	Newcastle	1 – 3 (Defeat)	Premier League	30 Dec 2025
Burnley	Everton	0 – 0 (Draw)	Premier League	27 Dec 2025
Bournemouth	Burnley	1 – 1 (Draw)	Premier League	20 Dec 2025
Burnley	Fulham	2 – 3 (Defeat)	Premier League	13 Dec 2025

Recent Form:
At home, Burnley’s struggles are even more pronounced, with their last five games at Turf Moor yielding one draw and four defeats. Their home win ratio stands at a concerning 0.00, reflecting their inability to capitalise on home advantage. Defensively, Burnley have kept just one clean sheet in their last five encounters, highlighting vulnerabilities at the back.

Burnley’s top scorer, Zian Flemming, has found the net five times this season, but the team needs more consistent contributions across the squad to improve their standing. Currently 19th in the Premier League, Burnley are in the relegation zone with 12 points and a winless streak stretching to 11 games.

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Burnley Suspensions & Injuries

Burnley face a tough fixture against Manchester United with several key players sidelined by injury. The absence of Connor Roberts, expected back in late January, and Louis Jordan Beyer, due mid-January, significantly impacts their defensive options. With Roberts out, Kyle Walker’s experience will be crucial to maintaining defensive stability. Joe Worrall and Maxime Esteve are also out with knocks, potentially forcing Scott Parker to rely on less experienced players in defence.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Zeki Amdouni	Cruciate ligament injury	Early April 2026
Connor Roberts	Strain injury	Late January 2026
Louis Jordan Beyer	Knee injury	Mid January 2026
Joe Worrall	Knock injury	Mid January 2026
Josh Cullen	Cruciate ligament injury	Early September 2026
Maxime Esteve	Knock injury	Mid January 2026

In midfield, the absence of Josh Cullen—out until early September 2026 with a cruciate ligament injury—will be felt. His presence as a central playmaker is missed, so Florentino and Lesley Ugochukwu will need to step up to fill the void. Zeki Amdouni, also sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury until early April, leaves a gap in the attacking midfield role, putting additional pressure on Jaidon Anthony and Jacob Bruun Larsen to create opportunities.

These injuries may prompt tactical adjustments, potentially shifting to a more defensive setup to compensate for the lack of depth. The reliance on a 5-4-1 formation suggests Burnley may aim to absorb pressure and hit on the counter against a strong Manchester United side. With these absences, Burnley’s betting odds may drift, reflecting the uphill task they face in securing points from this encounter.

Burnley Key Players

Burnley’s attacking hopes rest heavily on Zian Flemming, the team’s top scorer with five goals this season. Renowned for his ability to find the net from a variety of positions, Flemming’s goal-scoring instincts will be crucial against Manchester United. His interplay with lone forward Armando Broja could provide the attacking thrust needed to break down United’s defence.

In midfield, Lesley Ugochukwu and Florentino are expected to anchor Burnley’s play. Ugochukwu’s physical presence and Florentino’s ball distribution will be vital in controlling the tempo and limiting Manchester United’s midfield creativity. At the back, the experienced Kyle Walker will marshal the defence, providing leadership and tactical awareness to repel attacks.

Expected lineup for Burnley:

• Goalkeeper: Martin Dubravka
• Defenders: Kyle Walker, Josh Laurent, Hjalmar Ekdal, Bashir Humphreys, Lucas Pires
• Midfielders: Lesley Ugochukwu, Florentino, Jaidon Anthony, Jacob Bruun Larsen
• Forward: Armando Broja

Burnley’s tactical approach will likely focus on a solid defensive setup, complemented by swift counter-attacks that leverage the pace and skill of key players. Defensive strength lies in Walker’s organisational skills, while Flemming’s goal-scoring prowess is a significant threat up front. These players’ performances will be crucial to Burnley’s chances in this fixture.

Burnley Tactics and Formation

Burnley Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 5-4-1
• Key Forward: Armando Broja
• Midfield Pivot: Lesley Ugochukwu and Florentino
• Defensive Setup: Five at the back with a recent clean sheet trend.
• Notable Strategy: Defensive solidity and counter-attacking play.

Burnley set up in a 5-4-1 formation under Scott Parker, focusing on defensive solidity and counter-attacking opportunities. The back five, with Kyle Walker and Lucas Pires as wing-backs, provides a robust defensive line—crucial in their efforts to keep clean sheets, which has been a challenge in recent matches.

In midfield, Lesley Ugochukwu and Florentino form the central pivot, tasked with breaking up opposition play and distributing the ball wide. Jaidon Anthony and Jacob Bruun Larsen on the flanks are pivotal in transitioning from defence to attack, using their pace to support lone forward Armando Broja.

Offensively, Burnley’s strategy revolves around quick transitions and exploiting space left by opponents. Broja’s role as the focal point is vital, as he looks to capitalise on counter-attacks and set pieces, where Burnley can be particularly dangerous.

Manchester United Analysis & Past Performance

Manchester United head into this fixture on a mixed run of form. In their last five matches, they have recorded one win, one loss, and three draws, reflecting a degree of inconsistency. The recent 1-1 draw at Elland Road against Leeds highlighted their struggle to convert possession into wins, despite controlling 55% of the ball and taking 15 shots.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Leeds	Manchester United	1 – 1 (Draw)	Premier League	4 Jan 2026
Manchester United	Wolverhampton	1 – 1 (Draw)	Premier League	30 Dec 2025
Manchester United	Newcastle	1 – 0 (Win)	Premier League	26 Dec 2025
Aston Villa	Manchester United	2 – 1 (Loss)	Premier League	21 Dec 2025
Manchester United	Bournemouth	4 – 4 (Draw)	Premier League	15 Dec 2025

Recent Form:
The team’s attacking output has been steady, averaging 1.60 goals per game over the last five matches, with Bryan Mbeumo leading the scoring charts with six goals this season. However, defensively, United have shown vulnerability—conceding 1.60 goals per game and managing just one clean sheet in this period. This defensive frailty is further underscored by the fact that both teams scored in 80% of these fixtures, indicating a pressing need for improvement at the back.

Away Performance:

• DDWLD

Away from home, Manchester United’s form mirrors their overall inconsistency. They have won two, drawn two, and lost one of their last five away fixtures, translating to a 40% win ratio on the road. Their away goal-scoring average stands at 1.70, slightly above their overall average, but defensive lapses remain a concern, with goals conceded in each of their last ten away games. This away performance will be crucial as they visit Burnley at Turf Moor.

Manchester United Suspensions & Injuries

Manchester United face a challenging situation with several key players sidelined through injury. The absence of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, both expected back by mid-January, significantly weakens their defensive options. This could force manager Darren Fletcher to rely heavily on Lisandro Martínez, Leny Yoro, and Ayden Heaven to maintain a solid backline against Burnley.

In midfield, the unavailability of Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount—both pivotal in orchestrating play—will likely affect the team’s creative output. With Fernandes out until late January and Mount until mid-month, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte will need to step up their playmaking duties, potentially altering United’s usual attacking dynamics.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Harry Maguire	Hamstring Injury	Mid January 2026
Matthijs de Ligt	Back injury	Mid January 2026
Kobbie Mainoo	Calf Injury	Mid January 2026
Bruno Fernandes	Hamstring Injury	Late January 2026
Mason Mount	Muscle injury	Mid January 2026

Kobbie Mainoo’s calf injury, sidelining him until mid-January, further limits United’s midfield depth. This may lead to tactical adjustments, possibly shifting Luke Shaw or Diogo Dalot into more central roles to cover any gaps. The impact of these absences is expected to weigh on United’s performance, potentially affecting their odds in betting markets—especially against a resilient Burnley side.

Manchester United Key Players

Manchester United’s top scorer, Bryan Mbeumo, will be pivotal in their attacking strategy against Burnley. With six goals to his name, Mbeumo’s ability to find space and finish clinically makes him a constant threat to any defence. His dynamic style, characterised by quick dribbles and precise shots, could be crucial in breaking down Burnley’s backline.

In midfield, Casemiro’s presence is indispensable. Renowned for his tactical intelligence and ability to disrupt opposition play, Casemiro provides the defensive stability United rely on. Alongside him, Manuel Ugarte offers energy and creativity, vital for transitioning play from defence to attack. In defence, Lisandro Martínez is expected to anchor the backline with his aggressive tackling and aerial prowess—essential for thwarting Burnley’s forward advances.

Expected lineup for Manchester United:

• Goalkeeper: Senne Lammens
• Defence: Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martínez
• Midfield: Diogo Dalot, Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, Matheus Cunha
• Forward: Benjamin Šeško

Benjamin Šeško, leading the line as the forward, will look to capitalise on service from wide players like Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw. Shaw’s overlapping runs and crosses from the left flank are integral to the team’s attacking play, potentially creating numerous scoring opportunities. With these key players, Manchester United aim to assert their dominance and secure a vital win at Turf Moor.

Manchester United Tactics and Formation

Manchester United Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Key Forward: Benjamin Šeško
• Midfield Pivot: Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte
• Defensive Structure: Three-man backline with Lisandro Martínez as the central figure
• Notable Strategy: Utilising wing-backs for width and midfield dominance.

United’s 3-4-2-1 formation offers a balanced approach, with the flexibility to shift between attacking and defensive phases. Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte form the core of the midfield, providing both defensive cover and playmaking ability. The use of wing-backs Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw adds width, allowing United to stretch the opposition and create crossing opportunities.

Defensively, the three-man backline, led by Lisandro Martínez, aims to provide a robust structure. This setup has allowed United to remain competitive, though they have struggled to keep clean sheets consistently, with only one in the last five matches.

Offensively, Benjamin Šeško is pivotal, spearheading the attack. His ability to hold up play and link with attacking midfielders like Matheus Cunha is crucial for breaking down defences. The absence of key figures such as Bruno Fernandes due to injury necessitates tactical adjustments to maintain creativity and goal-scoring opportunities.

Burnley vs Manchester United Head-to-Head Record

In their head-to-head record, Manchester United have dominated with 13 wins compared to Burnley’s 2, along with 6 draws. The last encounter saw United edge Burnley 3-2 at Old Trafford in the Premier League. Historically, United have often come out on top in this fixture, especially in league play.

The last time Burnley hosted Manchester United at Turf Moor, it ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for United. Burnley have struggled to find form against United at home, with their last home win dating back several years.

Home Team	Away Team	Score	League	Date
Manchester United	Burnley	3 – 2	Premier League	2025-08-30
Manchester United	Burnley	1 – 1	Premier League	2024-04-27
Burnley	Manchester United	0 – 1	Premier League	2023-09-23
Manchester United	Burnley	2 – 0	EFL Cup	2022-12-21
Burnley	Manchester United	1 – 1	Premier League	2022-02-08