Burnley head coach Scott Parker addressed the media in a pre-match press conference ahead of the Clarets’ Premier League season opener against Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, August 16.
The press conference, dominated by discussions about the late rearrangement of the fixture, provided insights into Parker’s mindset, team preparations, and expectations for the challenging return to the top flight.
Head Coach Scott Parker's pre-match press conference ahead of the Premier League season opener 🎬 https://t.co/HS3pnMMLzE
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) August 14, 2025
A Return to Familiar Ground
Scott Parker, a former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder who made 63 appearances for the club, expressed excitement about returning to his old stomping ground. “We’re excited. We’ve worked hard in pre-season to be ready for the Premier League starting,” Parker stated, acknowledging the formidable challenge awaiting his newly promoted Burnley side. He emphasized the humility and dedication within his squad, noting, “There’s a great humility about this group and the way we’ve gone about our work in pre-season, and we feel we’re in a good place.”
Parker’s history with Tottenham adds a personal layer to the fixture. Having faced Spurs twice as a manager with Fulham in the 2020-21 season (a 1-1 draw away and a 1-0 loss at home), he is familiar with the tactical demands of playing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Despite Burnley’s historical struggles against Spurs—winning only once in nine Premier League away games against them—Parker remains optimistic about his team’s preparedness.
Burnley’s Pre-Season and Squad Updates
Burnley’s pre-season has been less than ideal, with only one win in five friendlies and a 1-0 defeat to Serie A side Lazio in their final warm-up match. Despite this, Parker highlighted the team’s efforts to integrate 13 new signings, including high-profile additions like Martin Dubravka, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Armando Broja. These players, however, did not feature in the Lazio match, with Parker explaining, “We’re still balancing the load of some players, including the new lads.” He noted that Ugochukwu played 60 minutes in a behind-closed-doors match against Manchester City, while Dubravka and Broja were rested due to their recent arrivals.
Parker confirmed that Burnley have a “pretty full squad” for the opener, though long-term absentees Zeki Amdouni (ACL) and Benson Manuel (Achilles) remain sidelined. There are also doubts over Connor Roberts, Zian Flemming, and Bashir Humphreys, but Dubravka is expected to debut in goal if his shoulder issue has settled. Kyle Walker, another former Tottenham player, is likely to feature in defense, adding experience to Burnley’s backline.
Tactical Approach and Defensive Strength
Burnley’s remarkable defensive record in the 2024-25 Championship season—conceding just 16 goals in 46 games and securing 30 clean sheets—underpins Parker’s strategy. However, he acknowledged the step-up in competition, as Burnley have not kept a clean sheet in their last 20 Premier League matches. “We know the challenge that awaits,” Parker said, signaling a defensive setup aimed at frustrating Tottenham while capitalizing on counter-attacking opportunities. Key defender Maxime Esteve, who made his loan move permanent this summer, will be crucial, having led the team in clean sheets (30), clearances (230), and blocks (41) last season.
Parker’s likely 4-2-3-1 formation, with players like Marcus Edwards and Lyle Foster leading the attack, will prioritize defensive solidity while seeking to exploit Tottenham’s high defensive line. Edwards, a Tottenham academy graduate, could pose a threat with his pace in transition.
Addressing the Fixture Change
The press conference was heavily focused on the late rearrangement of the match, which was rescheduled to a 3:00 PM BST kick-off on August 16 due to logistical considerations. Parker addressed the disruption professionally, emphasizing his team’s adaptability and focus on the task ahead. “We’ve worked hard to be ready,” he reiterated, downplaying the impact of the change on his squad’s preparations.
Looking Ahead
Despite Tottenham’s strong historical record against Burnley—winning eight of nine top-flight home games—and an Opta win probability of 66.3% for Spurs, Parker’s confidence in his squad’s preparation and defensive resilience suggests Burnley will not be an easy opponent. The Clarets aim to defy their recent trend of losing their opening Premier League match, last winning on the first matchday in 2019-20 against Southampton.
Parker’s press conference painted a picture of a focused and determined Burnley side, ready to embrace the Premier League challenge under his leadership. As they face a Tottenham team coming off a heartbreaking UEFA Super Cup penalty shootout loss, Burnley will look to capitalize on any lingering fatigue or disappointment to secure a positive result in their season opener.
