Vincent Kompany is poised to name a strong side for Burnley’s final game of the season against Cardiff City as Ashley Barnes is set to make his final appearance for the Clarets.
Burnley can surpass the 100 points mark with victory this afternoon at Turf Moor. The Clarets will be awarded the Championship trophy at the conclusion of the game after being crowned as champions.
Kompany’s side won promotion back to the Premier League with seven matches to spare and the Burnley boss has used the games since then to grant opportunities to his squad ahead of the return to the top flight. However, the Clarets boss is set to name a strong side for the encounter and Barnes is poised to make his last appearance for the club.
READ MORE: Burnley accounts: Player sales, transfer spend, debt restructure and ALK Capital approach
Kompany said: “I think this game, we’ve got a couple of players that we definitely want to give a chance. I think it’s no secret that Barnsey will be an important figure for that game and some other players.
“We just want to be strong. In general we just want to win this game it’s an important game so don’t expect 60% of the squad being changed.”
With a strong team selection on the cards, Aro Muric is anticipated to start as goalkeeper. A back four as full strength as possible is expected with Connor Roberts, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ameen Al-Dakhil and Ian Maatsen.
In central midfield, Josh Cullen could well be partnered by Johann Berg Gudmundsson. Upfront, Barnes is expected to lead the line for the last time before his Burnley spell comes to an end this summer after almost a decade at the club.
Josh Brownhill could line up in the number 10 position, with Anass Zaroury on the left and Manuel Benson on the right, who has four goals in his last quartet of games. Southampton loanee Nathan Tella is likely to be a substitute if he is involved in this afternoon’s matchday squad, with a chance of being involved after being out with a hip injury since last month.
Burnley predicted starting team vs Cardiff City: Muric; Roberts, Harwood-Bellis, Al-Dakhil, Maatsen; Cullen, Gudmundsson; Benson, Brownhill, Zaroury; Barnes.
Download the LancsLive app for free on iPhone here and Android here.
Don’t miss a thing from the club you love! For all the latest updates on Burnley, sign up to our free newsletter packed with all the latest news here.
Story Saved
You can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
