There is a Monday Night Football in the Premier League this week and it sees West Brom hosting Burnley at The Hawthorns in a match which I’m sure when it was chosen for this spot was likely to be seen as a relegation battle but in fact will determine who ends the weekend in ninth place.
Whoever wins the match will take claim of ninth spot in the table which are very heady heights for both and one I’m sure they would both have snatched your hand off for before a ball was kicked in the season.
West Brom
The Baggies will be looking for just a second home win of the season but after knocking off the champions prior to the international break they can’t be going into the match with any more confidence even though that win was their first in six matches. They played with a freedom and an intent in that game which we don’t often see from them.
West Brom aren’t the sort of side you would expect to see in the top half of the table and it will be interesting to see how they play in this match as they haven’t been an odds on favourite for a Premier League game since April 2015 when they played host to QPR. They subsequently lost that match 4-1.
Burnley
Often when Burnley go on the road in the Premier League they have nothing to lose, not that it has been to their benefit because so far all they have to show away from home this season is a point at Old Trafford in a match they were battered in from start to finish, but that isn’t the case here. This is a rare away game they might fancy their chances in which changes the dynamic somewhat.
Burnley’s problems on the road are pretty obvious. They have only found the back of the net once in four matches and they have to find a way to threaten the opposition without losing their defensive shape. In saying that they have conceded three goals in three of those four matches.
Team News
West Brom could well have Salomon Rondon back from injury but Saido Berahino is definitely out and the match may well have come too soon for Nacer Chadli which will be a blow to the home side.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche will need to decide whether to bring Andre Gray or Ashley Barnes back into the side or just go with Sam Vokes up front. Stephen Ward is fighting to be fit.
Betting
It is hard to see this one being a classic. Neither side are renowned for their attacking intent and both are much better in defensive areas than they are at the other end of the pitch so finding a bet isn’t easy. I certainly don’t want to go near West Brom at odds on but I’m not massively sold on Burnley either.
For me it isn’t a match to go mad on but I will chance a small bet on Gareth McAuley to find the net at some point. He has three goals this season and Burnley have conceded goals from set-pieces this season so it isn’t a forlorn hope. At 17/2 he’s decent value to pop up in a match that is expected to be tight throughout.
Tips
Back G.McAuley to score anytime for a 1/10 stake at 9.50 with NetBet
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