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Burnley vs Southampton: Prem League – Opposition Threats

By Edward Waugh

BURSLEM, ENGLAND - JULY 20: David Amoo of Port Vale and Jeff Hendrick of Burnley in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Port Vale and Burnley at Vale Park on July 20, 2019 in Burslem, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
BURSLEM, ENGLAND - JULY 20: David Amoo of Port Vale and Jeff Hendrick of Burnley in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Port Vale and Burnley at Vale Park on July 20, 2019 in Burslem, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Mohamed Elyounoussi of Southampton shoots under pressure from James Tarkowski of Burnley during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Burnley FC at St Mary’s Stadium on August 12, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Mohamed Elyounoussi of Southampton shoots under pressure from James Tarkowski of Burnley during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Burnley FC at St Mary’s Stadium on August 12, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

James Tarkowski

Easily Burnley’s best central defender over the past two seasons, James Tarkowski was part of the defence that saw the Clarets reach the heights of the Europa League in 2018.

The 26-year-old will most likely be lined-up next to Ben Mee, both have formed a tight-knit pairing and have been playing alongside each other for some time now – meaning the continuity and understanding between the two could cause Southampton an issue going forward.

It could be argued that Burnley’s defence was not as much of a lock-down as what it could’ve been in the most previous season; though this was obviously due to fatigue from competing in the Europa League, to which the Northern club will not be doing this season.

The most notable in-match battle for the centre-half will be Saints new boy Che Adams, who has been ever-impressive in pre-season following his £15M move from Birmingham City.

Burnley are likely to sit deep to help soak up pressure, and this could go one of two ways for Southampton; either Adams and Danny Ings struggle to break down the centre-half pairing, or in playing the high press, pin Tarkowski into giving up the ball in goal-threatening positions.

If Adams could score an early goal however, a trend that he has been setting in pre-season, it could force Burnley to press up from deep in seeking a goal. This would then allow Southampton to be a real threat on the break; pace on the flanks in Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo and up-top in Che Adams causing said problem.

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