PL PREVIEW: Burnley v West Bromwich Albion

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Build-up as the Clarets aim to extend unbeaten run and pull further clear

2021-02-19T17:18:09.435Z

PL PREVIEW: Burnley v West Bromwich Albion

Build-up as the Clarets aim to extend unbeaten run and pull further clear

2021-02-19T17:18:09.435Z

Build-up as the Clarets aim to extend unbeaten run and pull further clear

The Clarets face West Bromwich Albion for the second time this season – and they’ve come a long way since round one.

When Sean Dyche’s men drew 0-0 at the Hawthorns in October they collected their first point of the season to end a run of three straight defeats to kick off the campaign.

A first clean sheet temporarily lifted Burnley off the foot of the table, while the Baggies sat one place above them and just outside the relegation zone.

Two successive defeats were to follow for the Clarets but another goalless draw at Brighton got Burnley moving again and Dyche’s men have barely looked back since a first win at Crystal Palace next up.

“We’ve had a good points’ return since game eight,” said Dyche, whose side beat Palace again last Saturday to complete their first double of the season and remain eight points clear of the bottom three.

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“I reference it a lot because we had a really tough start for many different reasons, on and off the pitch.

“It’s been a really good points’ return since then. There’ve been some good performances along the way.”

West Brom have not had it so good as they head to Turf Moor sitting second from bottom of the table with just two wins and 13 points – 14 fewer than the 16th-placed Clarets.

Dyche’s men are unbeaten in three league games and after hitting back to draw against Fulham in mid-week could take another major step towards securing safety by continuing the run with another positive result against bottom-three opposition.

“We’ve got to continue to find consistency,” added the Burnley boss.

“We’ve shown that since game eight – a lot more consistency, not just week-to-week but also within a 95-minute game.

“We’ve got to continue to do that. Regardless of all the challenges that come our way, that’s the key focus.”

Team news

Burnley captain Ben Mee returns after missing the mid-week draw with Fulham due to a concussion injury.

Striker Matej Vydra is also expected to end a two-game absence and be available to face one of his former loan clubs.

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Chris Wood is another ex-Baggie in Burnley’s ranks but may not be ready to return and Erik Pieters is also still a doubt.

The Clarets will be without widemen Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Robbie Brady following injuries picked up against Fulham and midfielder Dale Stephens is also ruled out.

West Brom are hoping January signing Robert Snodgrass recovers from a bruised knee and right-back Lee Peltier is a doubt after picking up a knock in last weekend’s draw with Manchester United.

Defender Kieran Gibbs is ruled out ,but former West Ham winger Grady Diangana is set to return to the Baggies’ squad.

Form Guide

The Clarets are unbeaten in their last three league games with a win at Crystal Palace last Saturday sandwiched between two draws.

Sean Dyche’s side has lost just two of their last nine league games at Turf Moor.

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West Bromwich Albion have taken two points from six games since a 3-2 win at Wolves in January – their only league win since Sam Allardyce replaced Slaven Bilic as manager in mid-December.

The 19th-placed Baggies drew 1-1 with Manchester United last Sunday and will be seeking just a third league win of the season in their bid to narrow a 12-point gap behind Newcastle United, who are one place above the relegation zone.

Their next games are against Brighton, Newcastle and Crystal Palace.

Opposition camp

West Bromwich Albion manager Sam Allardyce: “The players have to look at this game in an entirely different way from the Manchester United one – different tactics.

“Burnley are the best team in the league with how they play. Every man knows exactly what their job is in possession and exactly what their job is out of possession.

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“Sean (Dyche) has been at that club a very long time and it all fits in very nicely, the jigsaw puzzle has almost been finished.

“They haven’t scored as many goals as they normally do, which is a bonus for us. But they still don’t let many in.

“We face an entirely different challenge on Saturday, and we need to meet that challenge otherwise Burnley will overpower us.

“They are in the bottom eight. We have to be ruthless and take the three points.”

Match stats

Defender James Tarkowski is set to make his 150th league appearance for Burnley – all bar four of which have come in the Premier League.

Clarets’ striker Jay Rodriguez needs one more goal to reach 100 in League football. He scored 29 in a two-season spell with West Bromwich Albion, where team-mates Matej Vydra and Chris Wood also previously played.

The reverse fixture in October produced the first goalless draw in the Premier League this season.

That was one of just two clean sheets recorded by West Brom this season. They have conceded the most goals in the Premier League so far this season with 55.

Mike Dean returns to referee after sitting out last weekend. His last Burnley game was the Clarets’ 1-0 win at Anfield in January.

Referee

Mike Dean

VAR

Michael Oliver

Kick-off

Saturday 3pm

Broadcast

Sky Sports

Commentary on Clarets+ with Phil Bird and ex-Burnley defender Chris Brass