Rotherham’s season is destined for a tense conclusion as they are only three points above the Championship relegation zone, despite having a game in hand. The table-topping Burnley visit comes at an unfortunate time for Rotherham given that the Millers have dropped the last four head-to-head encounters, as they are now nervously looking over their shoulder and sorely needing points to get away from the dreaded dotted line.
One may have expected Rotherham to give up after losing 2-0 to another promotion contender, Luton, at the weekend. That might not be the case, considering it was their first home loss against a top-six team this year (W1, D2). They also came agonizingly close to winning the rematch at Turf Moor, leading 2-1 in stoppage time before falling short 3-2.
Burnley’s lifeless 0-0 draw away at fellow relegation candidates Reading at the weekend may have been a harbinger of things to come given that the Clarets have so little to play for after being promoted to the Premier League for the upcoming season. But after talking about “rewarding” squad fringe players, it’s still unclear how serious Vincent Kompany is about pursuing a record-equaling Championship point total. The title is all but locked up and can be won here by simply improving Sheffield United’s result against Bristol City.
Burnley can only match Reading’s 106 points after Saturday’s draw, and given that they have only won one of their last eight away league games against Rotherham (D3, L4), even that looks unlikely. The Clarets have at least managed to go undefeated in all 11 of their Championship midweek games this season (W5, D6), which is encouraging in the pursuit of history, but they’ll need to match that here to keep up with the Royals’ record.
Chiedozie Ogbene of Rotherham scored in the last match only one minute after coming off the bench, and seven of his eight goals have come this season before the hour mark. Anass Zaroury of Burnley has scored his previous five goals in the first half, four of which have been pivotal in victories.
TEAM NEWS
Nathan Tella, the leading scorer for Burnley, will be sidelined due to an injury sustained early in the match against Reading. Tella is on loan from Southampton.
However, cramp was the cause of Benson Manuel’s late exit; the Belgian is anticipated to be eligible for selection on Tuesday night.
The majority of their important players should return here, with Ashley Barnes, Jack Cork, and Arijanet Muric likely to start despite Kompany’s extensive substitutions against Reading on Saturday.
Conor Washington, Viktor Johansson, Bailey Wright, Grant Hall, Sean Morrison, and Ben Wiles won’t be available for Rotherham’s match on Tuesday.
Following the loss against Luton, head coach Taylor is anticipated to resist the urge to rearrange his squad, opting instead for a 3-5-2 formation with Jordan Hugill positioned in the last third of the field.
Domingos Quina might start, and the manager will also be considering Oliver Rathbone when it comes to possible changes. However, there could be a wide range of changes.
Possible starting lineup for Rotherham United
Vickers, Peltier, Humphreys, Blackett, Harding, Lindsay, Coventry, Fosu, Quina, Hugill and Ogbene.
Possible starting lineup for Burnley
Muric, Harwood-Bellis, Beyer, Maatsen, Cullen, Cork, Roberts, Brownhill, Gudmundsson, Barnes, and Foster.
We predict: Rotherham 1-2 Burnley
We anticipate Burnley to win on Tuesday night as they get closer to winning the Championship. In their fight for survival, Rotherham also needs the points, but it’s hard for us to pick against the Clarets, who should have their star players back.