Pick of the stats: Burnley v Bristol Citypublished at 12:05 BST
12:05 BST
Burnley are still yet to register a win in their return to the Championship but will be hoping to do so as they host Bristol City on Saturday (15:00 BST).
The Robins are going strength to strength after a losing start though, coming off two back-to-back wins and seeking a third.
Burnley have won each of their last eight league meetings with Bristol City. Only against one side have they ever won nine in a row in their league history, doing so versus Manchester United from 1914 to 1921.
Bristol City are winless in seven league visits to Burnley (D2 L5) since a 1-0 triumph in December 2007.
Burnley are winless in their last 16 league games (D6 L10), last having a longer run between December 2006 and March 2007 (18).
Bristol City have won both of their last two league games, last winning three in a row in October 2025.
Burnley are winless in their first four games of a Championship season (D2 L2) for the first time since 2008-09, a campaign where they ultimately won promotion to the Premier League.
Lancashire derby telling for Heckingbottom futurepublished at 10:17 BST
10:17 BST
Tom Sandells BBC Radio Lancashire
Image source, Getty Images
Preston North End are approaching what could already be a pivotal week for the course of their whole season.
A strong claim just a few weeks into the campaign - but with discontent growing amongst their support leading into this term, they have done nothing to quell worries with their start.
They remain winless across 90 minutes from their five games so far and are currently rooted to the bottom of the Championship table - behind a team who started with negative points, mind.
A late equaliser and penalty shootout win against lesser-ranked Huddersfield Town - at Goodison Park - is the only source of joy so far for the Lilywhites' faithful who have spent recent weeks watching their club toil both on and off the pitch.
All eyes were on one particular executive box at Deepdale on Tuesday as the transfer window closed, amidst a disappointing 3-1 defeat by Bristol City, a game in which North End were admittedly the better team.
In that room were PNE CEO Peter Ridsdale, as well as other club officials, as deals were hashed out.
In came Johnny Kenny and Liam Gibbs, for a reported £3m and a season-long loan respectively.
Although perhaps unfair to the players who have yet to step foot beyond the lines in blue and white, the double deal was met with an underwhelming response from PR1 as the deals were announced on the big screen mid-match.
Former club captain Alan Browne, linked with a return, remained on Wearside with Premier League Sunderland, a deal largely out of North End's control.
But as the season continues, the importance of Saturday's Lancashire derby with Blackburn Rovers only grows.
Frustration mounts among supporters and Paul Heckingbottom's record at PNE does not rank him highly over recent incumbents.
His side's start to the season has not done anything to win back dissenters and he now faces a much-depleted Rovers side in a derby.
Football fans are hard to win back once they have made their mind up and Preston fans are no different in that respect.
Apathy amongst Lilywhites fans is often a death rattle for the man in charge of their club and that grows with each passing defeat.
A defeat against a local rival, who are struggling to fill their bench, could prove insurmountable for the support Heckingbottom would want from his side's fanbase.
The board at North End are not renowned for snap decisions, more the opposite, but another lacklustre weekend will only intensify desire for change from the outside.
It could, however, also be argued that Heckingbottom has left the summer with a weaker squad than he entered it with as the 2025-26 season drew to a close.
The PNE boss has spoken often about wanting to play four at the back this campaign - he has a squad ill-equipped for such a system and early showings this campaign suggest that doing it anyway may not yield the desired results.
There have been some good acquisitions, going off early impressions. Caleb Wiley impressed in his first league start for the club, so too Stan Mills.
Leo Leroy looks an astute addition to replace want-away captain Ben Whiteman, Harry Clarke looks a dynamic addition to the backline; with Alfie Devine's pedigree proven last campaign.
The jury remains out on Delano Burgzorg and Jusef Erabi, with Lee Nicholls ideally not being needed much as a back-up.
This is the most PNE have spent in a single transfer window, of that there is no doubt.
They have bested their previous transfer record from before the summer window at least three times and have their most expensively assembled squad in the club's history.
Regardless of how it has been spent, the investment in the playing squad this summer is historic and should be commended.
With that, they are 24th and relegation worries are very real.
All eyes will be on Deepdale on Saturday lunchtime.
It's a game that could kick-start North End's season, or, already, derail it.
Burnley's Foster joins MLS side Houston on loanpublished at 17:41 BST 3 September
17:41 BST 3 September
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Lyle Foster made 26 Premier League appearances for Burnley last season
Burnley forward Lyle Foster has joined MLS side Houston Dynamo on a loan deal until June 2027.
The 26-year-old joined the Clarets from Belgian side KVC Westerlo in 2023 and went on to win promotion back to the Premier League with the club two years later.
In total the South Africa international has made 99 appearances in all competitions for Burnley, scoring 12 goals.
His deal to join the Texas-based MLS franchise includes the option to make the move permanent.
The Clarets remain 23rd in the table on two points, while Boro are fifth with two wins, one draw and a loss.
Here are some of your comments:
Burnley fans
Andy: Better in the second half but Middlesbrough were easily the better side. Too many passes went astray, too many tackles lost and no striker worthy of the name. Satpaev the best player again meaning we will probably transfer him in January so the owners can make more money. We should look at the free agents, but so disappointing there are no English players in our starting line-up.
Gav: First half the old habits crept in with a cheap goal and lack of effort. We looked like a team that had never played together (which is broadly what we are). Second half was a totally different story. Played well, with a high tempo against a good side in Boro. More confidence and we could have nicked it.
Richard: It's far too early to judge Nicky Hayen and his new squad, but our second-half performance today coupled with our overall performance against West Ham on the opening day bode well for a successful season. Our young loanee Satpaev looks like a wonderful signing and Amdouni had his best second half in a Claret shirt.
Andie: Second half obviously better on the night, but even the first half showed some improvement (not least we didn't concede two goals in the opening five minutes!). New signings looked hopeful, especially Satpaev, and I'm hopeful for Reo Hatate. So, hoping we improve - we need to!
Mark: We were terrible first half. But played a lot better second half - we played like a team with confidence. Satpaev had another good game. We really need to work on our shooting with the strikers, but Flemming is going to be missed. I just hope we can sign a good striker on the free agent list.
Image source, Shutterstock
Middlesbrough fans
Martin: Boro should have been out of sight by half-time and poor closing down gave them the goal. Normally, we'd be happy with a point away but should have been all three. We're still settling in and we've got two or three players to come in and make a big difference, then watch us go.
Todo: Need to beat teams that are low on confidence, coming off the back of a good win ourselves.
Buzz: Too slow in getting to the last third then we stop and play it back to the halfway line. We are a team of crabs, sideways... sideways... zzzzzzz… UTB.
