Three Key Battles - Burnley

Wednesday's Premier League fixture between West Ham United and Burnley sees the Hammers welcome the team with the worst away record in the top-flight to London Stadium.

The Hammers will be eager to exacerbate Burnley's travel sickness - just one point and one goal from six away matches - and, in turn, improve their own indifferent home form.

On the pitch, the Clarets are one of the few Premier League sides to favour an old-fashioned 4-4-2 formation, although Sean Dyche may opt for a more defensive shape in east London.

For the hosts, Slaven Bilic could return talisman Andy Carroll to the starting XI up front. However, of more pressing concern will be the need to keep a first clean sheet in nine matches against the shot-shy visitors.

Here we look at Three Key Battles that could decide the destiny of Wednesday's game.

Reid v Keane

Both West Ham and Burnley have kept just three clean sheets in their opening 15 Premier League matches, but that does not mean they do not possess good defenders.

For the Hammers, Winston Reid has shone during a difficult opening four months, leading the team in clearances, interceptions and blocks/game, while also weighing in with a vital winning goal against Sunderland and assists at home to Middlesbrough and away to Tottenham Hotspur.

For the Clarets, England call-up Michael Keane has also been influential, and is second in the team in interceptions, clearance and blocks. A strong player who reads the game well and does not dive into tackles, the 23-year-old will be vital to Burnley's chances of keeping a fourth clean sheet.

 

Lanzini Marney

The midfield battle between West Ham's diminutive creator Manuel Lanzini and Burnley's midfield general Dean Marney will be an interesting one.

Lanzini is vital to West Ham's attacking play. Not only can he dribble past opponents as if they are not there, lifting the pressure on his defence in the process, but he is also an accurate finisher and passer of the ball. If West Ham want to open Burnley up, the Argentine could be the man to do it.

Now 32, the experienced Marney is a disciplined all-round central midfield player who has become central to Burnley's preferred 4-4-2 formation. Strong in the tackle and in the air, Marney also passes the ball accurately and takes many of the Clarets' set pieces.

 

Obiang Defour

The second midfield battle which will likely take centre-stage this evening is that between Pedro Obiang and Steven Defour.

Obiang has been a revelation since being handed an opportunity to impress by Slaven Bilic at home to Middlesbrough on 1 October. The Spaniard is a super-fit, relentless central midfield player who never gives his opposite number a moment's peace.

Experienced Belgian Defour also sits deep in the midfield, from where he breaks up attacks with his fine positioning and interception skills. Like Obiang, the 28-year-old can also open up defences with his accurate and extensive range of passing.

The winner of this battle will control the midfield area for his respective team