Only games involving three other teams in the Championship have been drawing at half-time on more occasions than Burnley. The Clarets have only scored five goals across their previous nine league contests, so it has been in their best interests to stay in games utilising their amazing defensive record. It provides them with the base to build upon and potentially pounce later on. Something else that has been noticeable is Bristol City’s last four home league matches have been 0-0 at half-time. During this period, they’ve faced the likes of top teams Sheffield United and Leeds, and Burnley are certainly within that bracket as well. It suggests Saturday’s home side will look to be hard to beat first and foremost, but they’ll have issues offensively anyway against a super solid defensive opponent. Finally, this match comes after a two-week period of international football. Some players will have been away, whereas those remaining would have had a little more time off as well. Therefore, this match could naturally be a slow-burner anyway knowing they have been quite hard to beat recently anyway. Players may need time to get back up to speed.

Both teams have been very hard to beat this season but there is no doubt Burnley have greater scope and are more likely to be involved in the promotion picture. They possess the best defensive record in the division and it is hard to ignore that fact. Bristol City have generally been performing to a high level of late, arguably one which will be tough for them to sustain. They have been a mid-table club for many years now and have struggled to break into the next bracket. They’re also yet to face any of the current top-six this season so they’ve arguably yet to be seriously tested. Burnley got back to winning ways in their last game when defeating Swansea 1-0 at home. This may prove to be a turning point for them. It was a good showing and deserved victory, and performances for most of the season haven’t met their high standards. They are in the play-off despite not playing as well as they’d like, so hopes are high they can now kick on and go on a positive run of results.

It has been a tricky period for Burnley in terms of scoring goals. They’ve only netted five across their previous nine games, however they’ve only lost one of them. Winning 1-0 over Swansea last time was a welcome relief and they’ve also had the international break to rest, recover and welcome back some injured players potentially. One constant in the starting eleven this season has been Jaidon Anthony, someone manager Scott Parker has worked with before. He only has one league goal this season but the absence of injured forwards means he has had to offer much more as a goal threat than a creative spark. Only in three of his 12 appearances this season has the winger not had a minimum of two shots. His willingness to have a go will be rewarded on occasion, just like it was in the 2-0 home win against Sheffield Wednesday last month. Striker Lyle Foster remains out injured, so he will again keep on trying to add to his and Burnley’s goal tally to make up for this.

Burnley are averaging 5.40 corners earned per Championship contest this season. It is a team set to challenge near the top of the table for most of the season, so naturally, they will be playing to win most or every game. This trip to Ashton Gate will be no different, especially as they look to back up the win against Swansea. Recent Bristol City home games are a good marker regards what to possibly expect here. The Robins have faced Leeds and Sheffield United at home of late, both likely to contest promotion along with Burnley. In those two, City conceded an average of 5.00 corners, which is an indicator of what Saturday’s away side could possibly achieve on the corner count. Even taking into account the usual amount of corners on Liam Manning’s side, the expectation is a few should flow this weekend. Their Championship matches are averaging 10.00 corners, with the opposition collectively averaging 4.33.