Lancashire

Image source, PA Media

Vincent Kompany has rejected suggestions Burnley's game at Tottenham is "high pressure" this weekend.

The Clarets must win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and hope Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest to avoid an instant return to the Championship.

Despite the stakes, Kompany is insisting his team travel south intending to play with freedom.

"I wouldn't describe this game as high pressure for us," Kompany said. "I don't think we have anything to lose.

"If you go into this weekend protecting a two-point lead I can see how that's a different mindset. Perhaps I'd be trying to convince myself if I was saying there is no pressure at that moment, but in this case I genuinely believe it's all opportunity for us."

Tottenham have lost four in a row in the league, a run that has all but ended their hopes of finishing in the top four.

Should Burnley win, and Forest lose, Kompany's side would close the gap to two points before hosting the Reds on the final day of the season.

"I don't want to think about the Forest game right now," Kompany said. "I think of Spurs as our last game and if we give ourselves a final versus Forest, then that's a final.

"This is our last game of the regular season, and anything can happen on the final day of the season as you know."

Vincent Kompany has been speaking to the media before Burnley's trip to Tottenham on Saturday.

Here are the main lines from his news conference:

• On Nottingham Forest losing their appeal against their points deduction: "I didn't pay attention to it. Of course, I'm desperate for us to stay up but I've taught myself how to handle these situations by not paying too much attention to it. It's not something I could have affected anyway. The decision has been made."

• On the attacking nature of the Premier League in 2023-24: "I think this year [has been] a striker's league. You can rattle through and 80% of the teams are on the front foot and the strikers are having really big spaces [in which] to attack."

• He contrasted this statistic with his own team's struggle for goals: "We have to work hard for our goals. I think we've been constant in raising the amount of chances we've had this season. We know that we have to have players that improve during the season, not players who are ready to make 20 goals. I'd like the numbers to improve, but I'm willing to take the journey with them to get there."

• On Sander Berge winning the club's player of the season award: "His improvement puts a highlight on everybody else's improvement. In nearly every game he's been at the same level, if not at a better level than the midfielders we have faced. He belongs at this level and he's important for us in every game."

• On if he expects interest in the Norway international in the summer. "I haven't thought about it. I want him to get better to help Burnley - that's my role as the coach. Good players always attract interest so that wouldn't surprise me."

• Kompany confirmed Maxime Esteve is back in contention after illness meant he was replaced during last week's game against Newcastle. However, Luca Koleosho remains out of contention.

• He made the following comment about Burnley's on-loan striker Michael Obafemi being left out of Milwall's squad last week due to a 'disciplinary issue': "As a club, I don't think we're too pleased with the fact there was a big statement about it. We always have a duty of care for the players we have but I don't want to get involved in other club's affairs."

Image source, Getty Images

A lot of teams play their penultimate Premier League game of the season this weekend.

Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool have qualified for the Champions League. Aston Villa can finish no lower than fifth so will be in the Europa League at worst. Liverpool’s Europa Conference League place for winning the Carabao Cup reverts to the league and Sheffield United have been relegated.

But much is still to be decided.

Despite nobody being able to win the title just yet, here is what could happen...

Aston Villa can clinch the fourth and final Champions League place despite not playing until Monday:

• If Tottenham lose on Saturday, Villa qualify without kicking a ball;

• If Tottenham draw, Villa qualify if they draw with Liverpool on Monday;

• If Tottenham win, Villa qualify if they beat Liverpool.

Tottenham can ensure a top-five finish:

• If they win, Newcastle United lose and Chelsea and Manchester United both fail to win.

Failing that, Spurs can ensure a top-six finish - Europa Conference League at worst:

• If they win AND Chelsea and Manchester United both fail to win;

• If they win AND Newcastle lose AND one of Chelsea and Manchester United fail to win;

• If they draw AND Chelsea and Manchester United both lose.

The other two relegation places could also be settled this weekend.

Burnley will be relegated:

• If they fail to win at Tottenham on Saturday, whatever happens elsewhere;

• If Nottingham Forest win against Chelsea.

If Burnley win and Forest draw, the Clarets will be teetering and will need a huge swing in goal difference on the final day of the season when the two sides meet.

Luton Town are slightly better off than Burnley, but will be relegated:

• If they lose at West Ham AND Nottingham Forest avoid defeat;

• If they lose AND Burnley win, even if Forest lose;

• If they draw AND Forest win.

If Forest match Luton's result, the Hatters will be on the brink as they would need a big swing in goal difference on the final day.

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Tottenham and Burnley in the Premier League.

• Tottenham have won seven of their eight Premier League home games against Burnley and have won the past four without conceding. Only against Crystal Palace between 2015 and 2019 have they won five in a row at home and kept a clean sheet each time in the competition.

• Burnley have not won in their past 10 away league games against Tottenham since a 3-2 win at White Hart Lane in October 1974.

• Spurs have conceded four or more goals in four different Premier League games this season - most recently doing so more in 2013-14 (five). They have not kept a clean sheet in any of their past 13 home league games - their longest streak since a run of 15 between December 2002 and September 2003.

• Failure to win for Burnley will see them relegated from the Premier League for the fourth time. The Clarets have lost all seven of their league games against sides starting the day in the top five this season by an aggregate score of 24-7.

• Tottenham’s Son Heung-min has been directly involved in eight goals in his past six Premier League games against Burnley (five goals, three assists). He scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture at Turf Moor in September.

• Burnley’s Arijanet Muric has the highest save percentage of any keeper in the Premier League this season (81.3%). Despite playing just eight games so far, he has also got the second highest goals prevented rate (seven).

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley have announced Castore will be the club's new kit supplier next season, replacing Umbro who have been designing the Clarets' kits since 2019.

The club has penned a "multi-year" contract with the brand, which will see the Manchester-based company supply training and playing kits for the men's, women's and academy teams.

Burnley chairman Alan Pace said: "As organisations we have similar values, the desire to push boundaries, a passion for innovation and a mission to make athletes better.

"Castore's philosophy of 'Better Never Stops' is perfectly aligned with our vision as a forever forward-thinking football club.

"With an esteemed portfolio of world-class athletes and brands from across the world of sport, I look forward to together developing a powerful partnership to build our brand globally and one that our fans can enjoy."