You’d think that Marco Silva will be pleased to see the back of January. He joked with Sky Sports Gary Cotterill during his media duties on Thursday that he wasn’t loving transfer deadline day – when the Whites only managed to bring in Armando Broja after protracted negotiations with Chelsea – whilst Fulham’s form over the past month yielded three goals in seven games, a win, a draw and an exit from both domestic Cups. A pulsating goalless draw against Everton in midweek proved particularly frustrating, especially as Raul Jimenez and Issa Diop suffered hamstring strains, and Fulham’s promising position in the new year – closer to mid-table and a possible trip to Wembley – has given way to worries about the bottom three.

Turf Moor is hardly a hunting ground for Fulham, either. Burnley are unbeaten in 28 home league matches against the Whites – a remarkable run stretching back to 1951 – and Vincent Kompany’s side could complete a double over the Cottagers for the first time since 1981 after their impressive win at Craven Cottage before Christmas. The Clarets will require something special to stay up from here, seven points behind an improving Luton Town (who scored a controversial late leveller at Turf Moor last time out) with the Hatters having a game in hand, and Kompany will be desperate for his side to improve their woeful home record – taking only four points from eleven matches to date – as soon as possible.

Kompany, whose side have largely stayed true to his adventurous approach, went toe-to-toe with his former club Manchester City in midweek and earned plaudits rather than points in a gallant 3-1 defeat against the champions. He could call upon new loan signings Maxime Esteve and Lorenz Assignon, who have been brought in to bolster a dangerous defence, and reported no new injury concerns during Friday’s press conference, suggesting that Hannes Delcroix, Jordan Beyer and Charlie Taylor – who all missed the trip to Manchester – might be able to return subject to late fitness assessments. Combative midfielder Josh Brownhill is in line to make his hundredth top flight appearance, whilst the home side’s major goal threat will come from joint top-scorers Zeki Amdouni and Lyle Foster.

Silva should refresh Fulham’s forward line by handing Broja, a physical striker with the sort of hold-up play that the Whites have missed since the departure of Aleksandar Mitrovic, a debut. There have to some concerns about the recent form of Andreas Pereira, who particularly struggled to hit the target against Everton, although after Kompany overhauled Burnley’s direct style, the Brazilian might find more run to play between the lines this afternoon. Silva has been loathe to leave out the former Manchester United attacking midfielder, although the Whites’ eagerness to dictate proceedings could be helped by including the guile of Tom Cairney just in front of the bustling Harrison Reed alongside Joao Palhinha. There will be no rest for the wicked with Willian and Bobby De Cordova-Reid – combined aged 66 – Fulham’s only fit senior wide players as Harry Wilson continues to recuperate from the shoulder injury suffered against Newcastle United.

Fulham’s away form, which has not delivered a Premier League away win since De Cordova-Reid’s opening weekend winner at Goodison Park, will need to pick up in the second half of the season. The Whites are not yet safe, with Luton continuing to pick up points, and a curse-busting success in Lancashire would be a significant boost for Silva’s side. Bringing back three points from Turf Moor will be much easier said than done, however.

MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Ream; Palhinha, Reed; De Cordova-Reid, Willian, Cairney; Broja. Subs: Rodak, Castagne, Ballo-Toure, de Fougerolles, Lukic, Dibley-Dias, Pajaziti, Sekularac, Muniz.