Sean Dyche will be looking to work more miracles with Burnley as they begin a sixth successive season in the Premier League. 

It will be the club's first full campaign under American ownership and the possibility of increased investment may heighten expectations for Dyche's men. 

But while the Clarets will be aiming for visible signs of progress, avoiding a relegation battle would represent a successful season at Turf Moor.

Last season

Dyche’s side lived to fight another day in the Premier League after finishing 11th in the table and 11 points clear of the drop.

No wins from their opening seven league games had supporters asking questions. 

But as is so often the case, Burnley turned things around and found a way to grind out results — only losing once in December as they picked up wins against Arsenal, Wolves and Sheffield United.

Despite having just 28% possession, the Clarets ended Liverpool’s 68-game unbeaten home run with a 1-0 win at Anfield in January in perhaps their most memorable result of the campaign.

And safety was secured with three games to spare thanks to a 2-0 win at Fulham, condemning the Cottagers to the Championship in the process.

New faces

Costing £12million from Stoke, the arrival of Republic of Ireland Under-21 centre-back Nathan Collins, 20, represents a significant outlay by Burnley’s standards.

Chairman Alan Pace described the signing as "an ideal start to our summer’s business and the new collaborative approach to transfer activity now in place at the club".

Former Crystal Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey, 34, has joined to provide back-up for Nick Pope, while centre-back prospect Jacob Bedeau, 21, was snapped up having made 53 appearances for League Two Scunthorpe.

The line-up

4-4-2: Pope; Lowton, Cork, Mee, Taylor; Gudmundsson, Westwood, Cork, McNeil; Vydra, Wood.

Burnley’s industrious 4-4-2 set-up is Dyche’s bread and butter — only very rarely does he opt for a different system.

With skipper Ben Mee all but certain of a starting spot, it remains to be seen whether Collins will break into the starting line-up ahead of James Tarkowski.

Where the Clarets appear to be particularly light is on the flanks.

Only Johann Gudmundsson and Dwight McNeil are the natural starters in those positions, with central midfielder Josh Brownhill also providing a makeshift option.

A move away from Turf Moor could potentially be on the cards for McNeil, so it is an area that will need to be prioritised before the transfer window slams shut. 

Star man: Chris Wood

Chris Wood will lead the line for the Clarets once again this season and the 29-year-old forward will be looking to improve on last term's 12-goal return.

Burnley’s No9 was an effective presence up front for Dyche’s outfit. His 1.28 shots on target per 90 minutes put him inside the Premier League’s top 15 players, while he averaged an impressive 0.39 league goals per 90 in 2020-21.

The New Zealand international is likely to miss the opening few matches of the season due to his participation at the Tokyo Olympics but is sure to be the first name on the teamsheet upon his return.

Up-and-comer: Dwight McNeil

Dwight McNeil was a real asset for Burnley last season and it is no surprise has been linked with bigger clubs.

McNeil, 21, attempted 7.09 crosses per 90 minutes, placing him in the league’s top 10 players — ahead of Kevin De Bruyne (6.57) and only just behind Andy Robertson (7.82).

Though delivering the ball from out wide is his strongest attribute, the England Under-21 international also sits in the top 50 for completed take-ons (1.85 per 90), which is a reasonable return in a side that often looks to soak up pressure and counter-attack.

The boss: Sean Dyche

The charismatic Dyche is set to begin his 10th campaign in charge of Burnley and is the Premier League’s longest-serving manager.

Burnley's Europa League adventure in 2018-19 seems like a distant memory but surviving comfortably in an increasingly competitive division would still be another significant achievement for the former Watford boss.

One thing you are always certain of from a Dyche team is commitment and Turf Moor will remain a tough away trip for any team while the 50-year-old is manager. 

All information correct as of midday, August 3, 2021