Burnley vs Tottenham Preview: Can Spurs Turn European Momentum into Premier League Progress?

Tottenham Hotspur travel to Turf Moor this weekend hoping their midweek European euphoria can finally translate into domestic progress, as Thomas Frank’s side face relegation-threatened Burnley in a crucial Premier League encounter.

Spurs supporters making the journey from North London to the North West will be eager to see whether the confidence gained from Wednesday night’s impressive Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund can spark a long-overdue upturn in league form. Tottenham’s 2–0 win against ten-man Dortmund courtesy of goals from captain Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke marked a fourth consecutive home clean sheet in Europe and secured progression into the Champions League play-off round.

Victory next week against Eintracht Frankfurt could even propel Spurs directly into the round of 16, eliminating the need for an additional two-legged play-off and further easing the fixture congestion. However, that continental success contrasts sharply with Tottenham’s domestic struggles.

Despite their European exploits, Frank’s league form has been deeply disappointing. Spurs sit 14th in the Premier League and remain without a league win in the new year, having last tasted domestic victory away at Crystal Palace in late December. They have managed just two wins in their last five league games and, across all competitions prior to the Dortmund win, recorded no victories, two draws and three defeats including a damaging FA Cup exit at home to Aston Villa.

The pressure on Frank continues to mount, particularly with injury problems compounding Tottenham’s difficulties. Nineteen-year-old midfielder Lucas Bergvall is the latest addition to a growing list of absentees that already includes Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison and Richarlison.

There is, however, potential reinforcement. Conor Gallagher could be handed a second consecutive Premier League start, while Joao Palhinha may return after missing recent fixtures through a training-ground knock.

Despite Tottenham’s strong European performances, Frank’s position remains precarious. Spurs sit eight points adrift of fifth-placed Manchester United, and with chairman Daniel Levy traditionally prioritising domestic top-six finishes a standard reinforced by the departure of Ange Postecoglou anything less than three points at Turf Moor risks reigniting speculation over the Dane’s future.

Burnley, under Scott Parker, arrive desperate for a breakthrough. The Clarets are winless in 14 league matches, suffering nine defeats and four draws, but have shown faint signs of resilience by claiming points against reigning champions Liverpool and Manchester United in recent weeks.

Eight points currently separate Burnley from safety, and Parker urgently needs a turnaround to avoid an immediate return to the Championship after securing promotion alongside Leeds United last season. Like Tottenham, Burnley are dealing with injury issues, with Maxime Esteve, Josh Cullen and Connor Roberts sidelined, while Zeki Amdouni continues his recovery from a long-term ACL injury.

The Clarets will also be motivated by history. Burnley and Tottenham have faced each other 94 times in all competitions, with Spurs winning the reverse fixture 3–0 in North London back in August 2025. Burnley’s last victory over Tottenham came in February 2022, when former captain Ben Mee headed home the decisive goal.

Burnley will be determined to inflict further domestic misery on Tottenham, while Spurs know that anything less than victory could accelerate the pressure on Frank even further. With survival and credibility on the line for both managers, Turf Moor is set to host a fixture loaded with tension, urgency and consequence.