Burnley surprised many when they won promotion to the Premier League two seasons ago after finishing second in the Championship. However, it is a different story now, with them being one of the favourites to go up after suffering an immediate relegation from the top flight last term.

The Clarets performed admirably among the elite of English football, picking up notable wins against then-champions Manchester City and Southampton along the way.

Burnley acted sensibly in the transfer window last season - resisting the temptation to spend big - which means that most of the side which got them out of the second tier in 2014 is still in place, although they have lost a few key individuals to other clubs this summer.

They have a wealth of experience at this level and will be expected to be challenging at the top right from the off.

In

Jelle Vossen (Genk), Matthew Lowton (Aston Villa), Tendayi Darikwa (Chesterfield), Chris Long (Everton), Daniel Agyei (AFC Wimbledon)

Out

Danny Ings (Liverpool), Ross Wallace (Sheffield Wednesday), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Cameron Howieson (St Mirren), Alex Cisak (Leyton Orient), Jason Shackell (Derby County), Steven Reid (retired), Luke Conlan (St Mirren, season-long loan)

Last season - 19th in Premier League

Manager - Sean Dyche

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Dyche's stock rose considerably after guiding Burnley into the Premier League, and he pretty much did all that he could to keep them there. He was hampered by the club's lack of financial backing, but his side produced some admirable performances even if they did come up short when it mattered most.

The former Watford boss arrived at the club in 2012 after Eddie Howe left to return to Bournemouth and led the side to a comfortable 11th-place finish at the end of that season. They were written off as relegation fodder the following year, but Dyche exceeded all expectations by leading them to promotion.

The former Watford boss might not have the strongest squad on paper at his disposal, but his nous and Championship experience will give them a better chance of success.

Dyche took the Clarets up in his first full season at the helm and there is every chance that he will do it again.

Key Player - George Boyd

Boyd arrived from Hull City last August and was arguably Burnley's best signing of the season. The midfielder slotted into the side well, chipping in with five goals, but his hard work and tenacious running in particular endeared him to the fans. He might not be the quickest of players, but Boyd topped the Premier League stats for distance covered over the season with 210.5 miles.

The Scotland international is an experienced Championship performer, with spells at Peterborough United and Nottingham Forest before being part of Hull's promotion-winning team in 2013.

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Possible starting lineup

Heaton; Lowton, Duff, Keane, Mee; Kightly, Taylor, Arfield, Boyd; Vossen, Vokes

First game: Leeds United (A), Full fixture list

Sports Mole says

Burnley have been installed by the bookmakers as one of the favourites for promotion and they should be looking at a top-six finish at the very least. Losing Ings, Trippier and Shackell will have hurt them, but the arrivals of Vossen and Lowton appear to be astute pieces of business. With no Ings leading the line, the likes of Lukas Jutkiewicz and Marvin Sordell will have to step up their game.

Dyche will know that there is expectation on his shoulders this season, but there are four or five sides who could claim that they should be finishing in the top two, and he may find it hard to earn automatic promotion again. It looks more likely that Burnley will have to settle for a playoff spot.

Prediction - 5th