Burnley vs Liverpool: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to the festive fixture at Turf Moor

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers (Getty Images)

Liverpool will be hoping to build on the late point they won at Anfield against Arsenal when they had 10 men.

The Reds are now 10th in the Premier League - nine points behind West Ham who sit in the fourth Champions League spot - if they are to qualify for next year's competition they must begin to put together a winning run now.

Dejan Lovren will have a late fitness test to see if he is fit while Joe Allen, Glen Johnson, Daniel Sturridge and Jon Flanagan remain sidelined; Fabio Borini is suspended after his red card against Arsenal.

Brendan Rodgers is likely to continue with the 3-4-3 formation that has see Liverpool perform slightly better in recent weeks, with Mario Balotelli again expected to start on the bench.

Burnley have themselves been impressive in recent weeks and remain in the relegation zone only on goal difference. After good performances against Spurs and Southampton in the last couple of weeks, they will be confident of a victory against Liverpool.

Sam Vokes could play his first game since March but Matt Taylor, Stephen Ward and Michael Duff will miss out.

KICK-OFF: Boxing Day, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Burnley 0 Liverpool 4 (Gerrard x2, Rodriguez, Babel), Premier League, April 2010

Liverpool 4 (Benayoun x 3, Kuyt) Burnley 0, Premier League, September 20009

Burnley 1 (Traore OG) Liverpool 0, FA Cup, Jan 2005

STATS…

Burnley have only lost twice in seven league matches (W3, D2, L2).

They have won just one of their eight games against top-half opposition this season.

Burnley's tally of seven home goals this season is the fewest in the Premier League.

ODDS…

Burnley to win: 4.33

Liverpool to win: 1.85

Draw: 3.7

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 11pm