A rare Thursday night Championship kick-off pits two sides desperately needing a win.
Carlos Corberán’s West Brom have miraculously drawn all of their last five games, and they welcome Scott Parker’s Burnley, who are winless in three.
The Clarets lost away to Millwall at the weekend, while the Baggies could only muster a point away at struggling Luton on Friday night.
Our tipster, James O’Rourke, has sensibly scoured Paddy’s markets for this game and brings a Bet Builder to light these dark November evenings.
Here are his West Brom v Burnley betting tips
West Brom v Burnley Tips
Under 2.5 goals
Hannibal Mejbri to be shown a card
Handicap: Burnley +1
Half time: Draw
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 10/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
WHEN: Thursday, 7th of November, 8pm
WHERE: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
Under 2.5 goals
The unique scheduling for these two sides means they are playing Thursday-Sunday this week, meaning they could be doing without this game. It is also a clash between two expected promotion candidates, so plenty of respect will be shown.
That will especially be the case tactically, so Carlos Corberán and Scott Parker will have a plan or two to keep the opposition quiet.
WBA are on a wild run of five consecutive draws: three 0-0s and two 1-1s. It is also seven without victory, so Burnley are perhaps one of the last teams they’d want to face. It wasn’t a great showing at Luton last time, as they held on for a point, either. The goals are drying up, but at least they are sound at the back.
Burnley have recorded just one victory over their previous five. Sunday’s 1-0 setback at Millwall ended their nine-match unbeaten streak, meaning they’ve not scored in back-to-back games. They, at least, remain very, very difficult to break down. The Clarets have conceded the joint-fewest goals in the Championship, 13 games in.
Parker’s side have seen ten of their 13 league fixtures finish below 2.5 goals. For West Brom, they’ve only had one match more feature higher, so plenty suggests a low-scoring contest on Thursday.
Hannibal Mejbri to be shown a card
The Tunisian international has been more in and out of the side recently. Manager Scott Parker says he is better suited to some games from a tactical point of view.
Having been a sub at Millwall over the weekend, he will likely be recalled to the starting eleven here. His industry and tenacity will be critical in both directions at The Hawthorns.
Mejbri is a marked man who attracts the attention of referees. The former Manchester United man has a history that he is struggling to shake off. He is hardly helping his cause to do so, considering he picked up his third booking of the season at Millwall despite only playing the final 30 minutes or so.
This player rarely goes a game without committing a foul and again gets the match referee on his case. He’ll have some built-up frustration from no longer being a regular starter, just waiting to come out, just as was the case on Sunday.
Burnley +1
As mentioned, Burnley were on a nine-game unbeaten run until Millwall ended that a few days ago. Remember, this team has conceded only six league goals across 13 matches, which tells a story. Burnley’s per-game xGA (Expected Goals Against) is the second strongest in the Championship behind Leeds, so there is no fluke; they are so secure at the back.
Also, West Brom have failed to score in three of their four encounters against current top-half opposition heading into this round of fixtures. Their Head Coach caters to the opposition, which can take something away from them going forward.
Burnley are without striker Lyle Foster, so they have to change their approach to a degree. Parker thinks they will still have enough to create and take their chances if they do not concede.
Burnley’s losses this season have been by a 1-0 score. Although they’ve not scored for two straight games, they deserved much more than they got. West Brom have zero victories in seven, and it is just that bit tougher to be that confident about them right now for win purposes.
Half time: Draw
West Brom’s three-game sequence this past week means playing Friday-Thursday-Sunday, which they probably won’t be used to. Burnley go Sunday-Thursday-Sunday, which is just as unusual. Both clubs must navigate through these games, particularly on Thursday and Sunday.
This clash pits together two teams that have lost only twice all season. Neither are ultimately used to coming off as second-best. Draws have followed West Brom for a few weeks now, plus four of Burnley’s last six have also ended all-square.
Seven of West Brom’s 13 league fixtures this season have been level at half-time, the joint second-highest in the division. Five of their six home league games also fell this way. How they plan to counteract the opposition has been discussed before.
Therefore, a tight first half is likely to materialise. Burnley should also look to work their way into this, particularly after a defeat.
West Brom v Burnley Tips
Under 2.5 goals
Hannibal Mejbri to be shown a card
Handicap: Burnley +1
Half time: Draw
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 10/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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