Burnley v West Brom: Baggies back four can silence Clarets

Burnley v West Brom
Saturday, 15:00

Both teams out to cement strong start

After a successful start to the season for both sides - even more so for Burnley picking up three points against Chelsea - neither team will be keen to let their form dip going into this encounter.

The Clarets will be all too aware that Turf Moor hasn't been the happiest of hunting grounds for West Brom where they're yet to record a victory in six meetings; both top-flight fixtures have finished 2-2.

Albion defence can silence Vokes

Sam Vokes looked a real threat against Chelsea, netting twice to make it seven goals in his last six league appearances and Sean Dyche's side played really well on the break to get service into him.

However it remains to be seen how they'll cope with a much higher percentage of possession this weekend with Albion likely to sit back and operate on the counter attack themselves.

Moreover, despite being impressed with how Burnley went about their business last week, I wonder how much of that was down to the current behind-the-scenes drama at Stamford Bridge.

West Brom meanwhile continue to look very solid, this week's acquisition of Gareth Barry is a shrewd one and they put in a very assured performance against Bournemouth, no doubt reaping the benefits of Tony Pulis' gruelling pre-season regime.

Summer signing, Ahmed Hegazi, got the win for Albion, deftly heading in from a Chris Brunt cross and on the basis of last week's performance, should be the first name on the team sheet. At 6ft 4in he looked practically un-markable from set-pieces, something Pulis will be all too keen to exploit.

If the Albion back four are on their game, they'll make life very difficult for Burnley and Vokes will struggle to find as much space as he did last week; in turn the Clarets make very little appeal at 2.56.

I do however still have reservations over whether Albion have enough goals in the team if they were to go behind at Turf Moor. Jay Rodriguez played well in his first competitive game for the Baggies but proved to be a tad rusty in front of goal and Salomon Rondon lacked any real threat when he came on as a sub.

All in all, the strict organisation of both these teams could result in them cancelling each other out, so backing the draw at 3.25 is the way to go.

History dictates there will be goals

One thing this fixture hasn't been short of is goals; each top-flight game has featured no less than four with the Turf Moor encounters finishing 2-2 and West Brom coming out on top at home to the tune of 4-0 on both occasions - Over 3.5 goals is 4.80.

Logic would therefore dictate to follow that pattern however as mentioned earlier, the Baggies are yet to really find their form in front of goal and their miserly defence could bring Vokes' goal scoring streak to an abrupt end on Saturday - Under 1.5 goals is 2.78.

Can lightning strike twice for Hegazi?

With a record of four goals in 111 appearances, the chances of Ahmed Hegazifinding the net in back-to-back matches may seem pretty slim on the face of it but the 10/1 on offer for him to score anytime (Betfair Sportsbook) is still worth taking into consideration.

The way in which he towered above the Bournemouth defence last Saturday was ominous whenever West Brom lined up a set-piece and he finds himself now in a team where he'll get a vast amount of opportunities from such positions.

Atkinson not one to let things go

Martin Atkinson has been handed the officiating duties at Turf Moor on Saturday and he hasn't been too hesitant with handing out a card or four when it comes to these two sides.

He took charge of no less than three Burnley games last year averaging 3.33 cards per match and his one encounter with West Brom - away at Stoke - produced a near season high seven yellow cards. In any event, you certainly want to concentrate on at least 30+ booking points when these sides clash on Saturday.

Recommended Bet

Back the draw at 3.25