Newcastle v Burnley: Team newspublished at 14:03 GMT 6 December 2025
14:03 GMT 6 December 2025
Yoane Wissa has been named on the bench for the first time as Newcastle United make six changes for the visit of Burnley.
The £55m summer signing takes his place among the substitutes after recovering from a knee injury.
Fabian Schar, Bruno Guimaraes, Jacob Ramsey, Joe Willock, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon all come into the first XI following the midweek draw against Tottenham.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Chelsea" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Leeds v Liverpool", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Newcastle v Burnleypublished at 11:06 GMT 6 December 2025
11:06 GMT 6 December 2025
Not many predictions seem straightforward any more, but this one does.
Burnley have lost five games in a row and I don't see things changing here. Their main issue is still that they don't score enough goals, while only Wolves have conceded more than them this season.
I always think Newcastle look so dangerous but they haven't found any consistency this season, as we saw with their draw against Tottenham.
Newcastle United v Burnley: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 18:35 GMT 5 December 2025
18:35 GMT 5 December 2025
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Newcastle United will aim to bounce back from conceding a late equaliser against Tottenham as they host a Burnley side who have lost their past five matches.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of Saturday's meeting at St James' Park (15:00 GMT).
Late goals costing Newcastle
The 2-2 draw against Tottenham on Tuesday night was Newcastle's Premier League season so far in microcosm – a promising performance and potential three points both undone by conceding a late goal which altered the result of the match.
Cristian Romero's 95th-minute equaliser from a corner means that Newcastle have dropped 11 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season – the joint most of any side along with Brentford.
It was also the fifth time that the Magpies have conceded in the 90th minute or later, ranking them second of all Premier League teams after Leeds United (six), with three of those late goals affecting the result.
Along with the draw against Tottenham, Newcastle conceded injury-time winners during home defeats to Arsenal and Liverpool earlier this season, a failing that has contributed towards the Magpies' current position in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Eddie Howe's side, however, have been in strong form at home, winning six successive matches at St James' Park in all competitions prior to being held by Spurs, and they next face a Burnley side who have seemingly lost their way in recent weeks.
Image caption,
Newcastle have thrown away winning positions in several games this season
Five losses for Burnley
Burnley travel to the north-east after suffering a fifth straight defeat - at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
That result, coupled with Leeds's midweek win against Chelsea, means that the Clarets are now four points adrift from safety as they attempt to triumph away from home for only the second time this season.
If Scott Parker's side are to emulate their sole away victory at Wolves in October by shocking Newcastle, the visitors must quickly address widespread issues – both in defence and in front of goal.
Burnley had 58% possession and 11 shots against Palace but could not find a way to score – a failing that has dogged their season so far.
The Clarets have recorded the fewest shots of any Premier League team, while they also rank in the competition's bottom three for big chances created, crosses and touches in the opposition box.
Image caption,
Burnley are struggling to find ways to score in the Premier League
Meanwhile, only Wolves have conceded more than Burnley's 28 goals and Parker's men have the highest expected goals tally against of any side.
It is perhaps not the time to travel to a ground on which you haven't won since 1976. Burnley are winless in all seven Premier League visits to St James' Park, while Newcastle have lost just one of their past 27 Premier League games against promoted sides.
'Not the time to lose our heads' - Fosterpublished at 16:35 GMT 4 December 2025
16:35 GMT 4 December 2025
Media caption,
Burnley's Lyle Foster
Burnley forward Lyle Foster says the team must draw confidence from their performance against Crystal Palace, despite slipping to a fifth consecutive Premier League defeat.
Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, Foster stressed the importance of staying calm and maintaining belief during a difficult run. He admitted the frustration of coming close in recent weeks without reward, but urged the squad to keep their focus and trust that a single moment - a late goal or a tight win - could flip their season.
"After last night, we can take a lot of confidence and strength from the performance we have given," Foster said. "We have shown ourselves that we can do it and that we can play. Now it's about getting results, and I think that's what we should be focused on come Saturday against Newcastle.
"We've been very close for some time now, I think, and that's the frustrating part. You want to see fruition - you want to see results. Unfortunately, it's not been happening, but I think it's not the time to lose our heads.
"I think we need to stay focused, motivated, and know that the corner will turn. In football, it can turn in a second with one result or one goal in the last minute.
"Whatever it is, I think we need to keep on playing, keep on believing in our moment and create moments for ourselves."
Parker on Crystal Palace loss, 'calmness' & job securitypublished at 15:45 GMT 4 December 2025
15:45 GMT 4 December 2025
Freya Sweet BBC Sport
Media caption,
Burnley head coach Scott Parker
Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle at St James' Park (15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On Wednesday's 1-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace and how his players are feeling: "They're physically OK, a little bit tired. There's a lot of disappointment and a bit of frustration. But it's a recovery day today and we'll get back on the horse tomorrow and prepare for another big game at the weekend."
Parker was positive about his team's quality and felt his side had a "real dominance" and a "real impetus" about them against Palace. He recognised the Clarets "just fell short in moments".
He emphasised "a real calmness" in the dressing room and referred to Burnley's 2018-19 season when they had only 12 points at Christmas and managed to stay up: "How many games are left? However much is left, we'll judge it at the end. Things can quickly change and they'll only change with stableness and fire, desire and passion, and of course a quality about us. But that constant belief will be there."
Nevertheless, after five defeats in a row, Parker was asked whether he is coming under pressure from chairman Alan Pace: "My relationship with Alan is rock solid - we have a real honest and open relationship. Regarding my position, in that sense, I really have no worries whatsoever and that makes my job a lot easier. It keeps my focus where it needs to be."
On whether the promoted sides this season are offering something different to the Premier League, given Sunderland's draw at Liverpool and Leeds' 3-1 win against Chelsea on Wednesday: "No-one was saying that about Leeds before last night - this is how quickly things change. Fair play to Leeds, they have got an absolutely fantastic result and this game changes so quick. One week, people are at whatever stage and the next, within 90 minutes, the narrative changes. If we were sitting here having beaten Palace, the story would be that Palace are a great side - they won the FA Cup last year - and you've gone and beaten them at home."
He complimented Saturday's opponents Newcastle and said their midfielders are "probably up there with the best in the division" because they "complement each other physically and technically".
Parker also recognised the impact of St James' Park: "The intensity of what the stadium brings and the intensity of how they play, man versus man at times. We'll take that into consideration and how we will manage the game in certain moments."
Finally, Parker confirmed they will lose three players to Afcon in Axel Tuanzebe, Hannibal and Lyle Foster but not until after his team face Fulham on Saturday, 13 December.
Alan: Results from other games feel like this is the night hope died. Burnley have decent players, but they are not developing. Start preparations now by reducing the size of the squad. Bring in proven talent not yet more potential, a strategy both Vincent Kompany and Scott Parker have proved does not work.
Peter: If we learned how to attack faster than the speed of a striking slug, we could give teams a reasonable game. No pressing, very little urgency and a defence that switches off too often is never going to win games!
Ashley: Pathetic from Burnley. To show up to a home game against Palace and put in such a gutless performance is really disappointing. Passive in defence and aimless in attack - we are going down for sure unless we make drastic changes to the way we approach games.
John: Passive going forward and submissive at the back. Once again demonstrating little ambition in possession, content to go sideways and backwards as there is nobody that can 'spring the trap'. A long way to go but doubtful it will change too much before we go and show we are too good for the Championship. Rinse and repeat.
Palace fans:
Les: Palace looked ragged at times and desperate to clear from their own box. It was a scary last 15 minutes but we held on for the three points. Sterling work from Marc Guehi, Dean Henderson and Chris Richards bagged the win. Not pretty but effective.
Robert: I felt really uncomfortable watching most of this game with just the 1-0 lead. Thought we would blow it again for the third game! We fought hard with tired legs, especially in the second half and must invest in the January window if we are going to keep up this momentum.
David: Three points for Palace but the performance was a cause for concern. The players look exhausted and the fixture congestion does not ease this side of the New Year. With Sarr away on international duty and the likelihood of Guehi leaving, the club need two or three high quality additions in the transfer window. Sadly, I doubt we will get any and instead the owners will revert to a strategy of trying to make do with loan players - and as a consequence, lose Glasner in the summer.
Dave: We needed that win. The team looked disjointed throughout the second half and it was like a performance from an older Palace team. Limited number of chances created, hot potato football and hanging on at the end. But considering we have a small squad, the players are doing amazing and it is another three points in the bank.
Watch Premier League highlights and analysispublished at 08:12 GMT 4 December 2025
08:12 GMT 4 December 2025
Pundits Danny Murphy and Shay Given join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Tuesday and Wednesday's Premier League fixtures.
Burnley 0-1 Crystal Palace: What Parker saidpublished at 22:23 GMT 3 December 2025
22:23 GMT 3 December 2025
Media caption,
Scott Parker spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Burnley's defeat against Crystal Palace: "The goal comes a horrible moment for us. The fine margins have gone away from us tonight. We were the wrong side of the margins. My team tonight are experiencing a run like this for the first time. I asked for a brave show of quality and they did that to a man today. I've been relegated as a player and I have had success as a player. I can be complimentary of my players, a young team that showed their quality.
On the challenges for a newly-promoted team: "The quality is clear to see. We have been hugely competitive in this division. The facts are there is a big gap and we need to learn from that."
Analysis: Burnley unable to arrest slumppublished at 22:07 GMT 3 December 2025
22:07 GMT 3 December 2025
Matthew Howarth BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Scott Parker had said he wanted Turf Moor to be "bouncing" for the visit of Crystal Palace, but there was little for the home supporters to shout about as the Clarets often toiled in the final third.
In seven Premier League home matches this season, they have not only registered a paltry tally of five goals - fewer than any other team at their own ground - but they are also looking increasingly fragile at the other end.
The Burnley boss will be furious with the manner of the Eagles' winner - and in particular with Anthony, who failed to track the run of Daniel Munoz, who ghosted in at the back post to nod home Marc Guehi's floated delivery.
The introductions of Jacob Bruun Larsen, Marcus Edwards and Hannibal Mejbri provided more attacking spark in the second period, but despite an improved display the hosts were unable to arrest their recent run of defeats.
After Bruun Larsen had rattled the woodwork, it was another second-half substitute - Armando Broja - who almost salvaged a point with a late, backward header that Chris Richards cleared, condemning Burnley to a third successive home loss.
Burnley v Crystal Palace: Team newspublished at 18:36 GMT 3 December 2025
18:36 GMT 3 December 2025
Scott Parker makes two changes to the Burnley team that started the 3-1 defeat at Brentford at the weekend.
Hjalmar Ekdal replaces the injured Axel Tuanzebe in defence, while Jaidon Anthony is restored after coming off the bench at Gtech Community Stadium. Hannibal Mejbri drops to the bench.
Burnley v Crystal Palace: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 10:33 GMT 3 December 2025
10:33 GMT 3 December 2025
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Burnley attempt to end a run of four defeats against a Crystal Palace side bidding to bounce back from a home loss to Manchester United.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before their meeting at Turf Moor.
Burnley still in the fight
Burnley's loss at Brentford last weekend was the latest unwelcome reminder that Premier League football is among the cruellest of sports.
The Clarets thought they had earned just a fourth away point of the campaign courtesy of Zian Flemming's 85th-minute penalty, only for Brentford to regain the lead just a minute later.
The net result is that Burnley begin a busy December with 10 points after 13 matches. Although that leave Scott Parker's side 19th in the table, they remain just one point from safety in a closely fought bottom half.
The Clarets can also take solace from the record of newly promoted teams who have made similar starts to Burnley this season.
Seven promoted sides have had 10 points or fewer at this stage of a Premier League season and gone on to survive.
Image caption,
Seven promoted teams have recovered from Burnley's position, or worse, to avoid relegation
Something that may have to improve if Burnley are to emulate such an achievement is to offer more of an attacking threat – particularly at Turf Moor.
Burnley have recorded just 37 shots and 12 shots on target in six home Premier League games in total so far – the lowest per game averages by any top-flight team at their own ground since Opta began recording such data in 2003-04.
Burnley have won twice at home this season but both victories came against fellow promoted opposition in the guise of Sunderland and Leeds United.
Palace impressive on the road
Next up for Burnley is a Palace side that have managed a busy domestic and European schedule to take 10 points from six Premier League matches away from home in 2025-26 with their counter-attacking style of play proving particularly effective on the road.
They have kept 10 clean sheets in their past 19 away games, the most of any Premier League side since the start of December 2024.
Palace can also draw on good omens for this particular fixture.
They have won 10 of their past 16 Premier League matches against teams starting the day in the bottom five - triumphing in the past four in a row - while Palace have lost just one of their past 17 Premier League games against promoted sides, going unbeaten in the most recent 10.
Sutton's predictions: Burnley v Crystal Palacepublished at 08:05 GMT 3 December 2025
08:05 GMT 3 December 2025
Manchester United did not have to play particularly well to beat Crystal Palace on Sunday, and Eagles boss Oliver Glasner moaned afterwards about the club's failure to bring players in over the summer.
When a manager does that, I start to wonder how long he will hang around. I get it - you have to leave when your stock is high, and Glasner's certainly is at the moment.
He is right, though, because their squad is stretched. Glasner must have been listening to the Monday Night Club because I've been saying the same thing since the start of the season, about how they are going to come a cropper because it is very difficult to compete without that depth.
I still think Palace will win this game though, because Burnley are in a bit of bother.
Scott Parker's side don't score enough goals so it was a real blow for them to get level at Brentford with five minutes to go on Saturday and still get nothing from the game.
I have a feeling they will battle away here too, and then see Palace sneak it late on.
Parker on Flemming, fine margins and facing adversitypublished at 15:19 GMT 2 December 2025
15:19 GMT 2 December 2025
Media caption,
Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Turf Moor (kick-off 19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
There are "no injury concerns" other than longer-term absences. Everyone else is "fit and willing".
The mood at the club "isn't the best" after losing 3-1 to Brentford at the weekend: "The way it happened against Brentford was disappointing... A lot of learning for us, for sure. And I think the general message around it is for us to be stable in these situations."
On Zian Flemming's form: "There's always a jump, and it's his first experience of the Premier League. But there is a professionalism in him, a hunger. His dream was to play in the Premier League and you can see that he's tackling that head on. He goes about his work with a fearless mentality and a fearless attitude, and is embracing the challenge. His quality and what he's producing for us is helpful. Long may that continue, and I'm sure it will."
When asked about fine margins, Parker said: "It's a constant balance. It's a constant song in my head as a coach of this young group, because I understand the psychological element and certainly the world they live in. At some point, the 'nearly' isn't enough, and that's going to have to change. The positives are we are competitive, we've been in a lot of games and got some good results. But the facts are that there's a certain element that we need to fix, and we need to make that 'nearly' into this 'happening'."
He added: "The gap isn't massive, but there is a gap there. That's where we've just fallen a little bit short. Certainly, I'm aware of that and the players are aware of that. I need to keep this team and this squad having an understanding that there's a lot of good things going on, and also the reality of the situation we're in and what we're going to go and face throughout this year."
On facing adversity: "I need to try to educate that we're in a world where there is failure at times, there's disappointment. And that's just the way it is. I try and instil in this group not to worry about the 'what ifs'. We're really brutal. If it wasn't good enough, we address it. But we dust ourselves off and we go again."
On facing Crystal Palace: "Tough opponent, for sure - a team that have been together for some time - well coached and structured, and you can see that in the way they are. Nothing really changes, but they're very good at what they do. Oliver [Glasner] has done a fantastic job in the time he's been there. But as always, we're at home, we're coming out and we want a reaction."
Listen to commentary of Burnley v Crystal Palace, with Scott Read and David Unsworth, at 19:30 on Wednesday on BBC Radio Lancashire (95.5, 103.9 and 104.5 FM)
'Parker is an excellent manager - he needs support'published at 10:44 GMT 2 December 2025
10:44 GMT 2 December 2025
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on whether Scott Parker is to blame for Burnley's poor form or if he is doing his best with the resources at his disposal.
Here are some of your comments:
Tom: Parker is doing a decent job given the resources he has. Some of his calls have been a bit dodgy, but overall, the main issue is the quality of this squad. A club like ours doesn't have the financial firepower to build a squad that can properly compete at this level. I think Parker is the right man still and if anyone will keep us up, he will. He also seems to be a genuinely good guy and he deserves the chance.
Bob: I had reservations when Scott Parker was appointed. He's done nothing to change my mind! However replacing him alone is not going to solve all our problems, we need to strengthen the squad (especially a quality striker) and take the game to the opposition more.
Andrew: Stick with Scott Parker. There is obviously no dressing room disharmony at the moment. Nothing to be gained at all.
David: Let's be realistic. Staying up is like winning the league for a club of our resources. Don't do a Sean Dyche again and get rid of an excellent manager. Parker is an excellent manager, he needs support, as do the players in the best league in the world. There are no easy games.
Tom: Sacking the manager after 13 games is madness. I don't know what people want. Dyche kept us in the Premier League for six seasons without any financial backing and got sacked for his troubles. Why didn't we just give him some money to spend? Fans are too fickle and to be honest, we'll never be an established Premier League club.
Richard: He is the best manager since Sean Dyche - who they should never have sacked.
Who exactly is to blame for Burnley's poor form?published at 15:06 GMT 1 December 2025
15:06 GMT 1 December 2025
Natalie Bromley Fan writer
Image source, PA Media
The discourse on my social media feeds on Saturday evening was dominated by talk of sacking Scott Parker - which is apparently the fundamental necessity for Burnley's chances of survival in the Premier League. Whether a new manager would have a better chance than Parker of keeping the Clarets up depends on one fundamental question: who exactly is to blame for Burnley's poor form?
Is it a question of naive tactics or of a poor squad? Because if it is the latter and the squad just does not have the quality to compete at this level, then the blame sits with the board and not with the manager.
But perhaps no-one is to blame. Perhaps Burnley Football Club will never have the financial resources at its disposal in order to survive in the modern Premier League.
The "sack-the-manager sticking plaster" has been used as a staple of Premier League strategy for as long as I can remember, and this year we have already seen West Ham and Nottingham Forest taking the gamble with a new manager.
The common consensus seems to be that Nuno Espirito Santo and Sean Dyche will be more than capable of pulling both teams away from the bottom of the table. But it is still close, with the Clarets sitting just one or two points behind both of them and having already faced all but one of the trickiest teams so far.
If the Burnley board is considering a new manager, when do they do it? Do they see what comes in through the January transfer window and give Parker time to fight? Or do they give whatever war chest they do have to the new one?
Having watched this board show (misplaced, in my view) loyalty to Vincent Kompany as he worked on his career and not his job, I will be amazed if ALK are even thinking about a change in manager.
But this is the Premier League. And it does funny things to people...
Which sides have survived with 11 points or fewer at this stage?published at 11:29 GMT 1 December 2025
11:29 GMT 1 December 2025
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
Teams sitting on 11 points or fewer after 13 Premier League games are usually in some trouble, but history shows survival is far from impossible.
Eight sides have managed to escape from that position, most recently Nottingham Forest in 2022-23, who had only nine points at this stage, yet pulled clear under Steve Cooper.
Perhaps the most striking example is Crystal Palace in 2013-14. The Eagles had just seven points after 13 matches and looked destined for relegation, but a managerial reset changed everything.
Ian Holloway departed on 23 October, Tony Pulis arrived a month later, and under the former Stoke boss, Palace surged to an 11th-place finish with 45 points. Caretaker Keith Millen bridged the gap with four games in between.
Interestingly, of the eight sides who survived from such a low base, only three made managerial changes mid-season: Palace (Pulis for Holloway), West Brom (Bryan Robson replacing Gary Megson) and Southampton (Mauricio Pochettino for Nigel Adkins).
For the others, stability rather than upheaval proved the route to safety - food for thought for West Ham, Leeds United, Burnley and Wolves who are either at or under that 11-point mark through 13 games this season.