Premier League 2019/20: Burnley vs Southampton – tactical analysis

The three-month football-drought has ended, as the Premier League marked its return with a goal-thrilling match between Liverpool and Norwich. Saturday night football also returned with a series of interesting ties, which included Southampton’s journey to Burnley’s Turf Moor. Three of their last meetings in the league ended with a draw, and some fans were expecting something different this time.

After they couldn’t advance further in the Europa League and had to battle for relegation, Burnley surely want to end with a better record. A race to a place for the European competition might be a bit too positive, but if every player performs at their best then a top-half finish is possible. As they welcomed Southampton to their home ground, Sean Dyche’s expectation was to secure three points.

Ralph Hasenhüttl has had a very difficult challenge at Southampton, saving the club from relegation and reclaiming their spot inside the top-half. He has done the first part after finishing at 16^th last season and with a very positive pre-season and summer window, they are confident of achieving the target. Although the first half hadn’t separated the two sides, the second period saw a different story. Ashley Barnes’ brace and a dramatic solo effort from Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson secured three points for Burnley.

This tactical analysis will provide an analysis of Burnley’s dominant 3-0 win over Southampton. Meanwhile, using statistics, we will point out how Southampton’s tactics fell short in the second half to Burnley’s tactics.

Lineups

Burnley lined their side up in a familiar 4-4-2 formation with Nick Pope returning in goal after missing out the entire last season. In front of him was the back four of full-backs Matt Lowton, Erik Pieters and centre-backs James Tarkowski and Ben Mee. Ashley Westwood formed his link with Jack Cork as central midfielders. Providing the width was Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson and Dwight McNeil while Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes led the line.

Hasenhüttl also chose a familiar formation as he filled the players in his 5-2-2-1 formation. A backline that consisted of Jannik Vestergaard, Jan Bednarek, and Jack Stephens positioned in front of Angus Gunn. Meanwhile, responsible for the wide spaces were wing-backs Yan Valery and Ryan Bertrand alongside wingers Danny Ings and Nathan Redmond. Centrally, Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse screened the defence and provided supports for Danny Ings up front.

A non-thrilling first half

Both teams entered the first period with a conservative state as they wanted to know more about the opposition’s tactics and found a way to counter it. Burnley, as usual, defended with a narrow, disciplined 4-4-2 structure. They formed a low-block that consisted of two defensive lines inside their half.

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