Alan Irvine got his first Premier League win as a manager at White Hart Lane last weekend as West Bromwich Albion put in their best display of the season, having started off with two draws followed by two defeats.The Scot described the Baggies’ first win at White Hart Lane in the league since 1984 as the most satisfying day of his managerial tenure yet and hopes that the result acts as a kick start to the season after lifting them off the foot of the table.
There was further joy for the Baggies on Wednesday night as two goals in two minutes from Saido Berahino and Gareth McAuley secured a dramatic late 3-2 win over Hull City and hence a passage to the last 16 of the League Cup where they will travel to face Bournemouth.
Burnley meanwhile have only conceded one goal in four games in the league since losing to 3-1 to Chelsea on the opening day at Turf Moor and last week’s home draw against Sunderland stretched their run of goalless draws to three in league. But the problem lies upfront as the Clarets have scored just one Premier League goal in five games when Scott Arfield volleyed home against Chelsea.
It has been a difficult beginning to life in the Premier League for the club who have made their return after a gap of five years, although defensive solidity is a must for survival in this unforgiving league. Sean Dyche has sorely missed the partnership that flourished in the Championship last season scoring a combined 47 goals, as Sam Vokes suffered cruciate ligament damage in March and star player Danny Ings with hamstring trouble has now joined him on the injury table.
Team News
West Brom: £10 million man Brown Ideye scored his first goal for the club on Wednesday since moving from Dynamo Kiev in the summer and despite hurting his ankle in the process, the Nigerian tweeted that he would be fit for Sunday’s clash with Burnley, though it’s likely that he’ll feature from the bench. Former Claret man Chris Baird missed the midweek match against Hull City due to illness and looks unlikely to feature on Sunday. Victor Anichebe is currently recovering from a tight hernia and is a doubt and Gareth McAuley could be in line for a Premier League debut replacing Craig Dawson at centre-back.
Burnley: Sam Vokes, Danny Ings and Matthew Taylor are all expected to be out of contention with injury troubles. David Jones though should recover from a thigh problem which forced him to limp out of last week’s clash with Sunderland. Kieran Trippier likewise should be alright to start despite minor groin problems though Dean Marney faces a race against time to recover from a tight hamstring.
Probable Line-ups
WBA (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Foster; Wisdom, McAuley, Lescott, Pocognoli; Morrison, Gardner; Dorrans, Sessegnon, Brunt; Berahino.
Out: Chris Baird (Illness)
Burnley (Possible, 4-4-2): Heaton; Trippier, Duff, Shackell, Mee; Arfield, Marney, Jones, Boyd; Sordell; Jutkiewicz.
Out: Ings (hamstring), Taylor (Achilles), Vokes (knee).
Stats
- The win at White Hart Lane was first time West Bromwich Albion won on a Sunday after 13 consecutive games without a win.
- West Brom have conceded at least 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 matches at the Hawthorns in the Premier League.
- West Brom have failed to win 10 of their last 11 matches at the Hawthorns in the Premier League.
- Burnley are the lowest scorers in the Premier League until now with 1 goal followed by West Brom who have 3.
- Burnley have failed to score in any of their last 4 matches in the Premier League.
Last five meetings
Feb 03, 2009 Burnley 3-1 West Bromwich Albion‎ (FA Cup Replay)
Jan 24, 2009 West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Burnley (FA Cup)
Feb 02, 2008 West Brom 2-1 Burnley (Championship)
Aug 11, 2007 Burnley 2-1 West Bromwich Albion (Championship)
Apr 23, 2007 Burnley 3-2 West Bromwich Albion (Championship)
Key Players
West Brom: Saido Berahino
The 21-year-old scored two goals when he was fielded in the hole against Sunderland in the opening game week and though he is expected to start upfront, he will be West Brom’s most dangerous outlet going forward as he has averaged 2.4 shots per game in the five games so far. He also has a pretty decent pass success rate of 89.5% so far.
Burnley: Jason Shackell
Shackell has been immense in keeping three consecutive cleansheets and he averages 9.8 clearances a game as the Clarets stay sturdy in defence. He is Burnley’s high rated player on whoscored.com with 7.33 and the 30-year-old will again need to be on top of his game if Burnley are to keep another cleansheet.
Prediction
With Ings out due to injury, an already misfiring Burnley will find it difficult to score again but with a sturdy defence, they might be able to hold West Brom to a draw – which you can bet at 4.00 here on tailorbet.
