SKIPPER Simon Francis feels Cherries' last match at Sheffield United "has set us up perfectly for Burnley" this weekend.

Cherries head to Turf Moor tomorrow (3pm), looking to bounce back from the 2-1 defeat at Bramall Lane before the mid-winter break.

Eddie Howe's men sit two points outside the relegation zone, but eight points behind a resurgent Burnley.

"I think Sheffield United away has set us up perfectly for Burnley away because it will be a similar kind of game," Francis told the Daily Echo.

"They’ll be direct, they’ll be physical. We knew that at home this season and they beat us, so we certainly owe them one.

"We want to go there and put in a performance, but we have to show similar characteristics that we did at Sheffield United – physicality, technique on the ball when we get chance, can we get our play going, especially out wide, cause them problems.

"But ultimately it will be a massive game for us."

Cherries have lost their last three matches against Burnley, included a 1-0 reverse at Vitality Stadium in December.