Newcastle and Burnley meet in the Carabao Cup second round this evening with both sides in need of a distraction.

Having started their respective league campaigns with back-to-back defeats, one team will at least get to enjoy that winning feeling for the first time in 2021-22.

Ahead of this evening’s clash, we take a closer look at two clubs who could be in for a long nine months.

Lacking confidence

Optimism was in short supply among the fanbases of both sides heading into the new season.

In fact, a poll conducted by The Athletic just prior to the big kick-off concluded as much — only the Everton supporters (82%) surveyed were concluded to have felt more pessimistic about 2021-22 than those who follow the Magpies (77%) and the Clarets (70%).

While Toffees fans have been pleasantly surprised by their side’s start, things have been all too predictable for followers of this evening’s protagonists.

Newcastle twice took the lead in their home opener against West Ham before a combination of sloppy defending and unadventurous second-half tactics saw them downed 4-2.

Their second outing against Aston Villa was marred by a controversial VAR decision, though only one shot on target in the entire game meant there was little room for complaint at an eventual 2-0 loss.

Parallels can be drawn with Burnley’s first two clashes — the Clarets also squandering a home lead when turned over late by Brighton, despite having been in front for most of the game.

They can be forgiven for being readily outplayed in last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Anfield, though giving up 27 shots was alarming for a side who prides itself on resolute defence.

The bosses

For all those similarities, the popularity of the two bosses among their own supporters could hardly be more contrasting.

Steve Bruce has been up against it since first arriving on Tyneside in July 2019 as a surprising replacement for his much-loved predecessor Rafa Benitez.

Hand-picked by club owner Mike Ashley, the 60-year-old is undoubtedly tarnished by that association and is considered by most of the Toon Army to be a cheap option incapable of taking the club further forward.

But finishes of 13th and 12th in his two full campaigns are credible achievements — even if they were not achieved with incredible football.

Sean Dyche, in stark contrast, possesses near-messiah status in East Lancashire for his achievements with Burnley having joined them as a Championship outfit nine years ago.

Although a first promotion in 2013-14 was followed swiftly by relegation, their instant return to the top flight in 2015-16 has provided the platform for a much longer stay.

A clear philosophy, plenty of memorable results and even a brief flirt with the Europa League have all been achieved on a shoestring budget, meaning Dyche will be forever etched in club legend at Turf Moor regardless of what the future holds.

Hands tied

Where Bruce and Dyche do share common ground is their frustrating experiences with the transfer market this summer.

Bruce was briefly buoyed by the club’s permanent capture of 2020-21 loanee Joe Willock from Arsenal for £25million a fortnight ago — though he is not confident of Newcastle’s chequebook opening again.

The Magpies boss told the Chronicle earlier this week: “It’s a difficult situation with finances. So, if there is a loan deal, that's what we will try to do.

“But as for bringing somebody in permanently, I can say that is probably not going to happen."

Meanwhile, Lyon wideman Maxwel Cornet is edging closer to a £15m switch to the Clarets and he would follow Nathan Collins, who arrived from Stoke for £12m earlier in the window.

Yet business at both clubs has been significantly slower than that of their rivals and concerns over squad depth have been publicly aired by the two managers.

It has even been speculated that a lack of financial backing is the main reason for Dyche not signing a contract extension, with his current deal set to expire next summer.

Key areas

With a wave of reinforcements looking unlikely in either camp, both bosses will have to work with what they already have — and hope last season’s issues don’t repeat themselves.

While not short of star quality, Bruce's squad is dangerously thin.

It was unsurprising when a combination of key injuries and a coronavirus outbreak wreaked havoc midway through last term.

With the likes of Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles and Allan Saint-Maximin sidelined, the Toon endured a run of only two wins in 19 league games between December and April.

As key men returned, along with the emergence of Willock, fortunes improved — 18 of last season’s 46 goals (40%) came in the Magpies’ final nine outings.

Burnley started slowly in 2020-21 with no win in their first seven outings, though Dyche rarely looked flustered in his media duties throughout that tough spell.

Once again, the Clarets boss showcased his ability to squeeze the maximum out of his well-drilled squad and had his side all but assured of safety by the end of March.

With 24 of last season’s 38 games involving Burnley seeing both teams fail to score, Dyche continues to excel when games are won and lost on fine margins.

Will they stay up?

While it is too early to draw significant conclusions, it is hard to see either Newcastle or Burnley powering clear of the relegation picture in the coming months.

Compared to the likes of Brentford, Norwich and Watford, their squads are packed with Premier League know-how and that experience may ultimately prove key when it comes to the crunch.

However, when it comes to ambition, these are two clubs who have been found wanting and their paper-thin squads are asking for trouble over what is an increasingly gruelling schedule.

Make no mistake, Newcastle and Burnley are both walking the tightrope — and any more wrong steps could prove fatal.