Preview: Burnley away

Next up for Stale Solbakken's men, it's a trip to Turf Moor. Wolves have a good recent record there, with only 1 League defeat in our last 6 visits. However, this time around, we face a very different Burnley side. They are the joint top scorers in the division, with 26 goals (15 of those coming from Charlie Austin). However, they also have the joint leakiest defence in the Championship with 29 goals conceded. What this points to is an open, end-to-end game. A throwback to the "old days" of English football. However, I don't think Stale Solbakken's style of play will allow for that, and Wolves will want to keep it tight early on - particularly with the presence of Charlie Austin and the "new manager effect" that Sean Dyche will bring.

I firmly expect Burnley to come bursting out of the starting blocks. There is a lot of pace in their side, with Paterson and Stanislas down the wings, and Austin up front. Also, the presence of technicians such as Chris McCann, Ross Barkley (who is struggling with a hamstring injury) and Dean Marney will mean that the Wolves back-line will have to be on their toes to guard against threats coming from all dimensions.

With Wolves having drawn our last 2 home games, I imagine Stale's message to the players will be to get back in form away from the pressures of Molineux. Indeed, the lack of the so-called "Molineux Factor" could be a key component in Saturday's game. Away from home we also look more able to compete for a full 90 minutes, instead of suffering our usual 'second half fade out' at Molineux. The first 25 minutes will be key. If we can keep it tight, perhaps quieten the home crowd a little, we can start to impose ourselves on the game. Whilst I have somewhat lamented the lack of width at times, ironically keeping it compact and tight tomorow could benefit us. Burnley will look to stretch the play, attempt to suck us out wide to the ball and then carve us open. Keeping a disciplined shape will make it much harder for the Clarets to do that.

It would be worth (and I will probably do so myself) putting a little bet on Sam Vokes to score against us tomorrow too. With the talent Burnley have on the ball and out wide, you can expect there to be crosses coming in. And we seem to have an unenviable record of ex-players (particularly strikers) coming back to haunt us. Particularly those who weren't always one of our 'preferred' striking options. With Vokes feeling he didn't have much of a chance in the Premier League - even more so after that miss against United - he'll be chomping at the bit to prove his point. And I wouldn't put it past him to do so.

Prediction: Burnley 2-1 Wolves

In Stale We Trust