Burnley vs. Tottenham Hotspur: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape FA Cup Clash

For Mauricio Pochettino, opening the new year with a 5-3 triumph over Chelsea and leapfrogging Arsenal in the process was a dream start.

While it seems scarcely credible that things could get better, Tottenham Hotspur now face a month that could mark 2015 out as a special year. 

A League Cup semi-final tie against Sheffield United beckons while three winnable league matches in January could provide the momentum to mount a real charge for the top four. 

Before any of that, though, Spurs must navigate a tricky FA Cup tie at Turf Moor. 

Eight-time winners of the FA Cup, Spurs have always believed they hold a special relationship with football's oldest domestic cup competition. More than 20 years have passed since the last time their name was inscribed on the trophy, and the fans would dearly love to collect a ninth. 

Standing in their way in the third round is Burnley. This is the eighth meeting between these two sides in the FA Cup. In 1961, Spurs swept the Clarets aside in the semi-final on the way to claiming the 20th century's first league and cup double. A year later, they retained the cup by defeating Burnley, 3-1, in the final. 

The 2015 meeting is unlikely to have the historical resonance of their clashes in the early '60s, but it will be an important match for both sides. 

While Spurs enter the match as big favourites, a number of factors will determine who enters the draw for the next round.

Fatigue and Injury

This match will the fourth in 10 days for both sides. Spurs have emerged from the frantic festive period with seven points. Burnley, on the other hand, have won just two points.

Sean Dyche took the interesting decision to avoid rotation during this busy period, and it appears that this may have hurt Burnley's chances of progress. 

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After Burnley became the first PL club in over 3yrs to be unchanged for 6 games, they are now first since 2009 to use all subs in first half

— Suzanne Geldard (@LT_Suzanne) January 1, 2015"

Jason Shackell, Kevin Long and Dean Marney were all forced off with injuries against Newcastle on New Year's Day, which has reduced an already thin Burnley squad to breaking point. 

Pochettino was able to rotate somewhat around Christmas, giving several key players time to rest. Unfortunately Ryan Mason and Erik Lamela have both suffered injuries, and while neither appears to be in danger of missing significant time, they are unlikely to feature against Burnley. 

Striker Sam Vokes, defender Michael Duff and midfielder Matt Taylor have all missed the last few games and could return against Spurs. 

How Seriously Will They Take It?

If Spurs treat this FA Cup tie as an important fixture, they should have the quality to see off Burnley. 

The Clarets have other priorities. They are 19th in the Premier League and their next fixture is a relegation six-pointer against QPR. Dyche may see this match as a chance to rest a few of his key players and hand Spurs a relatively straightforward passage to the next round. 

Spurs too have bigger matches on the horizon and will surely rotate. Players such as Etienne Capoue, Paulinho and Emmanuel Adebayor could all return. Those players have never been overburdened with passion for the cause of Tottenham Hotspur, and an away tie at Turf Moor seems like just the thing to trigger a display of apathy.

Pochettino must be careful to not rotate too heavily and risk a match he should win.

Lessons Learned from December

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

When Spurs beat Burnley, 2-1, just before Christmas, it took a special goal from Erik Lamela to decide the match. Beyond that goal, Dyche's men were fiercely competitive and defensively solid.

Having stunned first Manchester City and then Newcastle in their last two matches, Burnley appear to have taken the necessary lessons from the defeat at White Hart Lane.

If that is the case, Spurs must be careful to avoid the complacency that cost both City and Newcastle.

Home Advantage

Burnley's record at Turf Moor was vital to the team securing promotion from the Championship last season. As if to emphasise that, they set a post-war record in early 2014 when they reached 19 matches unbeaten at home.

Spurs know only too well the difficulties of travelling to Turf Moor. On the final day of the season in 2010, they took a 2-0 lead only to be beaten, 3-2. Admittedly, they had already secured Champions League football. 

In 2009, Burnley were orchestrating their return to England's top flight but took time out from their league campaign to embarrass Spurs in the League Cup. Spurs needed extra-time goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe to secure their progress to the final. 

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

This season, Burnley's home matches are typically tight. Premier League games at Turf Moor have resulted in the second-fewest goals per game of any venue this season. 

Spurs will need to be defensively sound and take their chances when they come.

Tottenham should have little problem with Burnley. Their squad is far stronger, and they have rotated more effectively than Burnley, so fatigue should hurt them less than the Clarets.

Sean Dyche's attention will likely be on the QPR match and not a (relatively meaningless) FA Cup fixture.

Spurs are on a great run of form and will fancy their chances of continuing that at Turf Moor