Burnley open their Premier League campaign with the visit of Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend, with both sides surely looking to get their season off to the best possible start with victory.

The Clarets finished one place above the drop zone, in 17th, last time out, but will look to improve on that following a positive pre-season, winning six out of their seven friendlies.

Graham Potter's Seagulls were classed as an unlucky team last season, with their expected goals (xG) being up there with the highest in the league, despite a 16th place finish.

Embed from Getty Images

The hosts don't have a great record in this fixture, as they haven't beaten the South-Coast side in the past four meetings.

However Sean Dyche's men won the fixture before that 3-1, with Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes amongst the scorers.

Team News

Burnley

The Clarets will be buoyed by the return of England goalkeeper Nick Pope, following successful knee surgery over the summer.

New Zealand Olympic hero Chris Wood, is also expected to feature, despite only returning to the squad 10 days ago, after a quarter-final run for the Kiwi's.

Embed from Getty Images

Matthew Lowton will be available for selection after he was forced into self-isolation, before the visit of Spanish side Cadiz.

The only injury worries for Dyche's side are that of long-term defender Kevin Long (knee) and last season's summer signing Dale Stephens (ankle).

Both will miss this game.

Brighton

Graham Potter will be without one of his star players from the first half of last season, in Tariq Lamptey(hamstring) which is sure to be a selection headache for the Seagulls boss.

Embed from Getty Images

Striker Danny Welbeck (hamstring) and defender Dan Burn  (knee) are both unlikely to start after picking up injuries in last month's friendly against Luton Town.

Captain Lewis Dunk is in line for a return to the side, following a toe operation over the summer, after playing 45 minutes against Getafe.

Ones to watch

Chris Wood is one of Sean Dyche's key men heading into this season, and after 12 goals last season, will look to hit the ground running once more.

Wood also has a decent record in this fixture, scoring three times in the last five meetings between these sides.

Embed from Getty Images

Yves Bissoumais a key cog to the Brighton system and when he is ticking, the team seem to perform well.

Top performances last season earned him multiple plaudits, and links to Arsenal this summer come with reason.

If the Mali international is on form, then the Clarets midfield will be in for a tough afternoon.

Embed from Getty Images

Predicted lineups

Burnley: Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Gudmundsson, Brownhill, Westwood, McNeil, Vydra, Wood.

Brighton: Sanchez, Webster, Dunk, Veltman, March, Bissouma, Mwepu, Gross, Trossard, Mac Allister, Maupay.

Where to watch

The game is expected to kick off at 3:00pm GMT on Saturday, with highlights being available on the Sky Sports YouTube channel, following the game.