Burnley play host to Liverpool this weekend in the knowledge that defeat could see them officially dumped from the Premier League.
After a promising start to their first top-flight campaign in over three decades, the Clarets now sit second from bottom with three games remaining - one point behind Hull City, who could move further clear with a result at home to Sunderland.
However, the crucial clash for Brian Laws and his charges is West Ham United's Saturday match with Wigan Athletic at Upton Park. A win for the Hammers would confirm Burnley's immediate return to the Championship.
There is a real chance the Lancashire outfit will be playing for pride alone when Rafael Benitez's road-weary Reds come to town on Sunday afternoon.
The trip to Turf Moor will seem like a skip to the shops for Liverpool after their 1,200 mile overland trek for their Europa League clash with Atletico Madrid in midweek, which the visitors lost 1-0.
Nevertheless, all the talk from Anfield has stressed that there can be no excuses for a sluggish performance this weekend, as they look to keep alive their slim chances of finishing in the top four.
The Merseyside giants - runners-up in the league last season - are hanging back in seventh place, five points behind a Tottenham Hotspur side who have a game in hand and Champions League football within their grasp.
Three points is an absolute must for 'Pool, although their recent record away from home - four goals in ten league games - doesn't bode well. The fact that they have won at Burnley just once in their last nine attempts in all competitions is another worrying statistic they will want to alter.
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
Apr 22: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Europa League)
Apr 19: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
Apr 11: Liverpool 0-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Apr 8: Liverpool 4-1 Benfica (Europa League)
Apr 4: Birmingham City 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Burnley
Apr 17: Sunderland 2-1 Burnley (Premier League)
Apr 10: Hull City 1-4 Burnley (Premier League)
Apr 3: Burnley 1-6 Manchester City (Premier League)
Mar 28: Burnley 0-1 Blackburn Rovers (Premier League)
Mar 20: Wigan Athletic 1-0 Burnley (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Burnley
Clarke Carlisle is the major concern for the hosts. The defender twisted his ankle in training during the week and looks all but certain to sit out this weekend.
David Nugent is also a doubt after missing training on Friday, but the striker should return on Saturday and is expected to make the matchday squad.
Last starting XI (vs. Sunderland): Jensen; Mears, Duff, Cort, Fox; Eagles, Alexander, Cork, Elliot, Paterson; Fletcher.
Liverpool
Will the striking dilemmas never cease for Rafa? With Fernando Torres out for the season after knee surgery, fill-in forward David Ngog - who scored against West Ham - is now struggling with a back problem and could be shelved pending fitness tests on Saturday.
Defenders Emiliano Insua, Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel and Martin Kelly are all out injured, but midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is available after being ineligible for Europa League duty.
Last starting XI (vs. Atletico Madrid): Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger; Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun; Ngog.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Burnley - Jack Cork
On loan from Chelsea, the young utility player has offered some real quality and sharpness in an otherwise messy Clarets side. Classy both on and off the ball, he could well be the first true success story to come from the Blues academy during Roman Abramovich's era.
Liverpool - Ryan Babel
With Ngog a doubt, boss Benitez could look to his Dutch enigma for the goals on Sunday. The former Ajax star has improved rapidly since the turn of the year and will hope to start after a typically bright showing off the bench in midweek.
After a promising start to their first top-flight campaign in over three decades, the Clarets now sit second from bottom with three games remaining - one point behind Hull City, who could move further clear with a result at home to Sunderland.
However, the crucial clash for Brian Laws and his charges is West Ham United's Saturday match with Wigan Athletic at Upton Park. A win for the Hammers would confirm Burnley's immediate return to the Championship.
There is a real chance the Lancashire outfit will be playing for pride alone when Rafael Benitez's road-weary Reds come to town on Sunday afternoon.
The trip to Turf Moor will seem like a skip to the shops for Liverpool after their 1,200 mile overland trek for their Europa League clash with Atletico Madrid in midweek, which the visitors lost 1-0.
Nevertheless, all the talk from Anfield has stressed that there can be no excuses for a sluggish performance this weekend, as they look to keep alive their slim chances of finishing in the top four.
The Merseyside giants - runners-up in the league last season - are hanging back in seventh place, five points behind a Tottenham Hotspur side who have a game in hand and Champions League football within their grasp.
Three points is an absolute must for 'Pool, although their recent record away from home - four goals in ten league games - doesn't bode well. The fact that they have won at Burnley just once in their last nine attempts in all competitions is another worrying statistic they will want to alter.
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
Apr 22: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Europa League)
Apr 19: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
Apr 11: Liverpool 0-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Apr 8: Liverpool 4-1 Benfica (Europa League)
Apr 4: Birmingham City 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Burnley
Apr 17: Sunderland 2-1 Burnley (Premier League)
Apr 10: Hull City 1-4 Burnley (Premier League)
Apr 3: Burnley 1-6 Manchester City (Premier League)
Mar 28: Burnley 0-1 Blackburn Rovers (Premier League)
Mar 20: Wigan Athletic 1-0 Burnley (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Burnley
Clarke Carlisle is the major concern for the hosts. The defender twisted his ankle in training during the week and looks all but certain to sit out this weekend.
David Nugent is also a doubt after missing training on Friday, but the striker should return on Saturday and is expected to make the matchday squad.
Last starting XI (vs. Sunderland): Jensen; Mears, Duff, Cort, Fox; Eagles, Alexander, Cork, Elliot, Paterson; Fletcher.
Liverpool
Will the striking dilemmas never cease for Rafa? With Fernando Torres out for the season after knee surgery, fill-in forward David Ngog - who scored against West Ham - is now struggling with a back problem and could be shelved pending fitness tests on Saturday.
Defenders Emiliano Insua, Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel and Martin Kelly are all out injured, but midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is available after being ineligible for Europa League duty.
Last starting XI (vs. Atletico Madrid): Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger; Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun; Ngog.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Burnley - Jack Cork
On loan from Chelsea, the young utility player has offered some real quality and sharpness in an otherwise messy Clarets side. Classy both on and off the ball, he could well be the first true success story to come from the Blues academy during Roman Abramovich's era.
Liverpool - Ryan Babel
With Ngog a doubt, boss Benitez could look to his Dutch enigma for the goals on Sunday. The former Ajax star has improved rapidly since the turn of the year and will hope to start after a typically bright showing off the bench in midweek.
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