Detailed Burnley Season Preview: Insights and Predictions

Where Did Burnley Finish Last Season?

The first centurions in the history of football to not win their league title, Scott Parker’s Burnley were hugely unfortunate to finish the season just below the summit of the Championship table. In a cruel twist of fate, Leeds United also accompanied them to the 100 point mark, and thanks to their vastly superior goal difference, pipped Burnley to the post.

🟣🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Burnley have made 7 permanent transfers so far this summer ahead of their Premier League return. 🔜✨ pic.twitter.com/XS75PStdwK

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) July 1, 2025

However, falling short of the title will not have tarnished what was a remarkable season from Scott Parker’s men - they conceded just 16 goals across the entire 46 game Championship season, keeping 30 clean sheets in the process - there was a stage after the turn of the year where keeper James Trafford made 12 consecutive shutouts in the league, a Championship record.

Naturally, repeating that feat in the Premier League this season is nigh on impossible, but Parker, who has so far tasted relegation twice in his short managerial career, will be feeling significantly more confident of achieving survival this time around - surrounded by an excellent group of players, and riding a high from a record breaking season, Burnley could be an entirely different prospect in 2025/26.

Best Result: QPR 0-5 Burnley (Cullen 9', Flemming 20', 28', Sarmiento 62', 90+2')

Worst Result: Millwall 1-0 Burnley (Cooper 52')

Who Have Burnley Signed In The Summer Transfer Window So Far?

Loum Tchaouna from Lazio - £13.3 Million

Bashir Humphrys from Chelsea - Loan made permanent for £12 Million + £2.7 Million add-ons

Marcus Edwards from Sporting CP - Loan made permanent for £8.4 Million

Jaidon Anthony from AFC Bournemouth - Loan made permanent for £8.1 Million

Quilindschy Hartman from Feyenoord - £7.7 Million

Zian Flemming from Millwall - Loan made permanent for £7 Million

Kyle Walker from Manchester City - £5 Million

Max Weiss from Karlsruher SC - £4.2 Million

Jacob Bruun Larsen from VFB Stuttgart - £3.5 Million

Axel Tuanzebe from Ipswich Town - Free Transfer

Who Have Burnley Sold in the Summer Transfer Window So Far?

Dara Costelloe to Wigan Athletic - Undisclosed Fee

CJ Egan-Riley to Marseille - Free Transfer

Sam Waller to Crewe Alexandra - Season long loan

Andreas Hountondji to FC St Pauli - Season Long Loan

Nathan Redmond - Released

Josh Brownhill - Released

Jonjo Shelvey - Released

Burnley 2025/26 Home, Away and Third Kits

Update your phone wallpaper to celebrate our 2025/26 Home kit 🥳 pic.twitter.com/g6w7rcNGOE

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) July 4, 2025

No away or third kit confirmed

What is Burnley’s Opening Premier League Fixture?

Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley | The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London | Saturday, August 16th, 15:00

How Can I Watch Tottenham vs Burnley?

As of the time of writing, the game is not scheduled to be broadcasted on TV, although international providers, such as Supersport, may show the game.

What Are Burnley’s Opening Five Fixtures?

Tottenham vs Burnley - Saturday, August 16th.

Burnley vs Sunderland - Saturday, August 23rd.

Manchester United vs Burnley - Saturday, August 30th.

Burnley vs Liverpool - TBC.

Burnley vs Nottingham Forest - TBC.

When Do Burnley Play Rival’s Leeds United in 2025/26?

With all of their local derby opponents playing in the Championship or below, Burnley’s only perceived rivals for the upcoming season are Leeds, with whom they played out a monumental fight for the Championship title last season.

Burnley vs Leeds - TBC.

Leeds vs Burnley - TBC.

Last Five Meetings:

- 27/01/2025: Burnley 0-0 Leeds United.

- 14/09/2024: Leeds United 3-1 Burnley.

- 26/08/2021: Burnley 1-1 Leeds United.

- 15/05/2021: Burnley 0-4 Leeds United.

- 27/12/2020: Leeds United 1-0 Burnley.

Who is Burnley’s Manager for 2025/26?

Scott Parker is the 2024/25 @SkyBetChamp Manager of the Season 👔

Congratulations, boss! 💜 pic.twitter.com/yCZe2rWkqS

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) April 27, 2025

Formerly of Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham United and Newcastle United, Scott Parker has a CV laden with Premier League playing experience. Now, he must use all of that Premier League know-how to earn Burnley Premier League survival, something they have failed to achieve after two of their last three promotions.

Blessed with arguably the most talented Burnley squad we have seen, the likes of James Trafford, Maxime Esteve, Hannibal Mejbri and Marcus Edwards will prove invaluable to Parker’s campaign, while new additions, particularly in the experienced Jyle Walker, bring balance and extra Premier League knowledge to the side.

There is no doubt that keeping Burnley up will be an uphill battle - in the last two seasons, all six promoted sides have failed to secure survival, falling straight back down to the Championship. However, in Parker, Burnley have a manager with astute awareness of game situations, a dressing room leader, and most importantly, a tactically intelligent and flexible coach - all vital on a quest to Premier League safety.

Who is Burnley’s Player to Watch?

James Trafford

Providing he stays put at Turf Moor, which given the rumours this summer is far from guaranteed, James Trafford will be absolutely crucial to the survival project this season. Arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the world going purely by stats last season, his tally of 29 clean sheets was eight clear of his nearest competitor.

OH MY GOD JAMES TRAFFORD’S SAVED ANOTHER PENALTY IN THE 97TH MINUTE 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

THE CHAMPIONSHIP IS INSANEpic.twitter.com/4MLpSTisAx https://t.co/qpKB8Jsy6y

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) January 17, 2025

After a shaky first season at the club, in which he shipped 62 goals in just 28 Premier League games as the Clarets plummeted back into the second division, Trafford, like many, has gone from strength to strength after a stint in the Championship, one of the strongest and most challenging developmental leagues in the world.

However, his performance’s have drawn the attention of some of the Premier League’s finest, including Newcastle, Man United, and even the stoppers childhood club Manchester City have shown interest in him. It is hardly a surprise - a natural leader from between the sticks, and a sublime shot-stopper, Trafford will be a vital asset for whichever side he finds himself playing for come the end of the summer.

Burnley 2025/26 Season Prediction

This section will be completed at the start of August, when the team has started to take a more accurate shape following various incomings and outgoings.