Evening all! The latest round of Premier League fixtures will be concluded tonight at The Hawthorns with
West Bromwich Albion and Burnley going head to head. This may not usually be dubbed as an eye-catching game considering that both are likely to be fighting in the bottom half of the table, but keeping that in mind, the points that are up for grabs tonight could prove to be crucial for both clubs.
Tony Pulis and his Baggies had a difficult run during the end of September and early October as they failed to pick up a win in five of their league outings. A possible turning point came on November 6 when they sealed a surprise 2-1 win over defending champions Leicester City. Unfortunately for West Brom, the international break followed, so they will be hoping that they have not lost their momentum.
As for Burnley,
Sean Dyche's side managed to bounce back from defeats to Arsenal and Southampton by claiming wins over Everton and Crystal Palace, while they also held Manchester United to a goalless draw. The results were particularly impressive given the calibre of opposition that they faced, so the team should be full of confidence heading to The Hawthorns. The Clarets also sit one point above West Brom in 11th place.
Right, let's bring you the lineups for both sides, shall we? We'll begin with the hosts...
WEST BROM XI: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Nyom; Yacob, Fletcher; Brunt, Morrison, Phillips; Rondon
Subs: Palmer, Olsson, Robson-Kanu, Gardner, McClean, Galloway, Leko
BURNLEY XI: Heaton; Lowton, Keane, Mee, Ward; Arfield; Hendrick, Defour, Marney, Gudmundsson; Vokes
Subs: Flanagan, Kightly, Gray, Boyd, Robinson, Tarkowski, Barnes
Tony Pulis has named an unchanged side from the one that started against Leicester before the international break.
Salomon Rondon has been passed fit after recovering from a hamstring injury, but there is no place in the squad for Nacer Chadli, who recently underwent minor knee surgery. As for the visitors,
Sean Dyche has made one change, and it's at the back. Stephen Ward comes in for Jon Flanagan after recovering from a hamstring problem.
Some personal feats will be reached this evening from both sides...
As you can see, there is still no Saido Berahino in the West Brom starting lineup. The England Under-21 international has not played since September due to fitness concerns. The 23-year-old was put on a special programme by the club in order to lose some weight and then he was sent to a conditioning camp in France to build up his fitness.
There were suggestions that Berahino could return to action this weekend after travelling back to England, but it turns out that he was only back home for a brief spell. The forward has since gone back across the channel to continue training. It has been a difficult year for Berahino, who was linked to Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City in previous transfer windows.
The player himself has admitted how much of a struggle it has been, but is thankful for the club's support as he bids to get himself back onto the pitch. Don't forget, Berahino tried to force a move away from West Brom last year, threatening on Twitter that he would never play again for the Baggies. The conflict between himself and the club seems to have eased, with Berahino insisting that being sent to a training camp is the right way forward.
In a statement released on the club's official website, Berahino said: "This last year has been the most difficult of my career and it has left me short of the form and fitness required for the Premier League.
"I have never been a player who lacked confidence or a belief in himself but that has been where I have found myself and it has hit me hard. It has left me feeling depressed and struggling for focus which has made it even more difficult to regain full fitness.
"Constant speculation in the media doesn't help and I have made this statement in the hope that it will respect my privacy and determination to get my career back on track. I want to thank the club for its support throughout what has been a period of turmoil for me. It may not have always seemed as if I have appreciated the efforts of everyone here to help me but believe me I do."
© Getty Images
Before the international break, West Brom managed to end a run of winless Premier League games by defeating Leicester 2-1 at the King Power Stadium.
James Morrison gave the Baggies the lead seven minutes into the second half, but they were pegged back by Islam Slimani three minutes later. West Brom eventually got the win when
Matt Phillips struck in the 72nd minute.
It was a very welcome result for the club having suffered back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Manchester City. It was a particularly disappointing performance at Anfield as they failed to pose much of a threat, with Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho scoring inside the first 35 minutes. Gareth McAuley managed to pull a goal back with nine minutes left on the clock, but it was too late to inspire a comeback.
The team failed to respond when they welcomed Manchester City to The Hawthorns the following weekend as they suffered a 4-0 loss, conceding twice to Sergio Aguero and two from Ilkay Gundogan. Prior to the disappointing defeats, Pulis's side recorded three 1-1 draws on the trot against Stoke City, Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur.
In that run, West Brom faced teams fighting for the top four, and ahead of tonight's match Pulis aimed a dig at some of their managers - Jurgen Klopp in particular. The West Brom coach mirrored comments made by his counterpart Sean Dyche about the foreign managers' impact on the Premier League, but he addd a sarcastic tone...
Pulis is quoted by the Liverpool Echo as saying: "That's the way it is, they come into the country, they're sexy, they're new, they're bright. That's fine, brilliant, not a problem for me.
"I'll listen to them, they say Klopp trains them three times a day in pre-season, absolutely amazing. I'd never have thought of that. That's what Sean's on about, they do stuff that is astonishing that we've never heard of."
© SilverHub
STATS! West Brom's home form is not great reading for supporters as they have only claimed one win and kept one clean sheet in their last nine league matches - drawing three and losing five. In addition, the team have not yet scored from outside the penalty area this season.
So, what about Burnley? They moved back up to the Premier League in the summer by winning the Championship after one season back in the second tier. In their first eight fixtures, Sean Dyche's men earned just two victories, and they became early favourites for a relegation battle, but since their 3-1 defeat to Southampton they are unbeaten.
The turnaround came against Everton at Turf Moor on October 22. Sam Vokes opened the scoring in the 39th minute, but shortly after the second half got underway, Yannick Bolasie found an equaliser. The match looked destined for a draw, but Scott Arfield found a winner in the 90th minute of the clash.
The following weekend, Burnley travelled to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, and in truth, they should have lost by a big margin as the Red Devils had a whopping 38 shots at goal. Eleven of those were on target, but an impressive performance from goalkeeper Tom Heaton ensured that the Clarets went away with a point.
Before the international break, Burnley's decent run continued as they came out on top in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace at Turf Moor. It was the perfect start when Vokes netted in the first minute, and Burnley doubled their lead when Johann Berg Gudmundsson struck 14 minutes later. Palace launched a second-half comeback with goals from Connor Wickham and Christian Benteke, who slotted from the penalty spot. The entertaining match ended in dramatic fashion when Ashley Barnes scored the winner in the 94th minute.
The positive run took Burnley to ninth. Following the weekend fixtures, the club have dropped to 11th but they could climb back to ninth with a win this evening. Dyche is trying to make sure that the players do not get their hopes up, though. While making his point, the Burnley boss referred to Antonio Conte's brief slump at Chelsea.
"I think it changes in the Premier League almost weekly, depending on whether you've had a good result or a bad result," Dyche told reporters. "Conte was rumoured to be under pressure, then after three more games he was amazing and it was champions-elect kind of thinking.
"I think there is a lower expectation here. It is slightly bigger than last time but I think if you look at the division most of the press and the pundits are not giving us much of a chance even though we've had a solid start.
"We're used to that. I certainly tell [the players] not to be affected by it - to not even think about it. However people are judging us - good, bad or indifferent - is not really relevant to me personally."
© SilverHub
DID YOU KNOW? Burnley are the only Premier League team to cover more ground than their opponents in all of their 11 games this season. Also, Vokes is on fire having scored in three of the club's last four games in the top flight. The downside is that they have only managed to earn one point on the road this season.
HEAD TO HEAD: West Brom have dominated the meetings at The Hawthorns having won eight and drawn one in their last nine fixtures. The last time that the two sides met in the league were in the 2014-15 campaign. At The Hawthorns, the Baggies thumped Burnley 4-0, while the clash at Turf Moor ended in a 2-2 draw.
Both sets of players have made it out onto the pitch. We'll have the obligatory handshakes and then kickoff!
KICKOFF! Burnley get us underway! The winner of tonight will move into the top half of the Premier League table. Mike Jones is the referee for this one.
Gudmundson gets the ball down the right-hand side of the final third and delivers a low cross into the box to find Vokes, who fails to control it and the ball is hooked away by Nyom.
A poor pass from Defour across his back four leaves Marney stretching and Keane chasing down the ball. Burnley recover, though, and they have seen more of the ball in these early stages.
GOAL! WEST BROM 1-0 BURNLEY (PHILLIPS)
What the perfect start for the Baggies! Morrison gets played in by Brunt on the right and he sends a low cross into the box, which Marney gets a touch on after sliding to the floor. Unfortunately for the Burnley man, he nudges the ball towards Phillips, who turns before prodding it home from close range.
CHANCE! West Brom come close to a quick second as Brunt gets the ball in the box and unleashes a shot, but Heaton comfortably grabs.
At the other end, the ball gets crossed towards Arfield, whose lurking at the far post, but his volley goes straight into the arms of Foster.
Keane goes long for Vokes, who chases it down the right-hand side, but McAuley tracks it all the way and gets there first before knocking the ball across to the keeper.
Burnley are having a good spell of possession, but West Brom are defending well, preventing the Clarets from finding a way through.
The Baggies almost make something happen from a throw-in. The ball is sent long for Morrison, but Lowton spots the run and does well to muscle out his opponent and bring the ball down first.
CHANCE! Burnley send their players forward after Marney wins a free kick after going down under Morrison's challenge. Defour picks out Mee, who headers towards Vokes. The forward goes for goal from close range but inadvertently flicks towards Hendrick, whose resulting header loops over the bar. Should have done better there!
GOAL! WEST BROM 2-0 BURNLEY (MORRISON)
Just over a quarter of an hour gone and West Brom have doubled their lead! It comes from a counter-attack led by Brunt, who plays it forward for Rondon. The attacker uses his strength to hold the ball up well before setting up Morrison, who storms towards the box before drilling the ball into the bottom corner. Burnley have plenty to do to get back in this game!
The Baggies go on the attack again as Morrison passes across to his fellow goalscorer Phillips, who takes a touch before aiming from distance, but it's not the most powerful effort and he misses.
CHANCE! A hearts in mouths moment for Burnley! An uncharacteristic mistake from Heaton as he passes the ball straight to Morrison, who charges towards the box, but messes up his shot as he sends the ball over the crossbar.
Burnley are seeing all of the ball in these last few minutes, but they're failing to do much with it. West Brom have set themselves up well as they are packing their own half and causing plenty of trouble on he counter-attack.
The Baggies fans cream for a handball, but they don't have much of a case. West Brom counter again and the cross comes into the box. The ball hits the arm of Lowton, but the defender's arms were not raised. It would have been very harsh if the referee gave it.
West Brom get another opportunity to attack as Keane slides to send the ball out for a throw-in after Dawson plays it low and long. The home side look very comfortable at the moment.
CHANCE! A decent opportunity for Rondon, who has been very impressive in this first half an hour. Lowton flicks his defensive header behind and it breaks for Rondon in the box. The forward shoots from a tight angle on the volley as he aims for the far top corner, but it goes over the bar.
SAVE! West Brom play it across the edge of the box and it ends up at Rondon's feet. He unleashes a shot from the corner of the danger area and it's dipping towards the top corner, but Heaton leaps across to get a hand on the ball.
There's a break in momentum for West Brom as Burnley's Ward seeks some treatment. He jogs off the pitch to see the medics, but comfortably makes his way back on.
GOAL! WEST BROM 3-0 BURNLEY (FLETCHER)
West Brom are running riot here as they nab their third goal of the night! They were helped along by Burnley's poor defending this time, though. The ball is played through for Rondon, with the visitors' defence stretched. The attacker uses quick feet in the box before crossing over the top for Fletcher, who is unmarked at the far post and prods it into the roof of the net.
Burnley get some fortune as the ball is given away in the middle of the park. It ends up with Lowton, who crosses into the box, but he fails to find a teammate and West Brom clear.
Some more nervy defending for Burnley. The ball comes into the area, which prompts Heaton to come off his line. Lowton is going for the ball too, but his keeper manages to grab it.
It's been a very poor first half from Burnley. They have rarely threatened and Vokes has hardly seen the ball. Dyche will need to deliver a big team talk at half time!
Two minutes have been added on. Burnley will want this half to end quickly!
HALF-TIME: WEST BROM 3-0 BURNLEY
Well, Tony Pulis will definitely be the happier of the two managers as his West Brom side head into the half-time interval with a 3-0 lead. Matt Phillips opened the scoring in the fourth minute and James Morrison doubled the lead after finishing off a counter-attack a quarter of an hour into the game. A brilliant first half for the home side was capped off with a goal from captain
Darren Fletcher. Burnley have seen plenty of the ball, but the hosts have packed their own half when required and caused major threat on the break. Burnley have a mountain to climb to get back into this game. We'll return for the second half shortly!
RESTART! The hosts get the second half underway! Can they add more goals to their tally or will Burnley perform a dramatic comeback? Let's find out!
BURNLEY SUB: The visitors have made a change at the break, as you'd expect. Dyche decides to take off Defour and replace him with striker Barnes. A change in formation for Burnley.
An early opportunity for West Brom as a high cross comes into the box and finds Phillips, who attempts a looping header but it goes over the bar. Some more concern for Burnley, though, as Mee gave Phillips plenty of space to meet the ball.
Rondon has the ball on the edge of the box and he plays it out wide to Phillips, who lifts it high into the area, but it's poor from him as the ball drops behind the goal.
Gudmundsson shows strength as he gets away from his marker before lifting the ball towards Vokes, but it drops just behind him. It's not cleared, though, as Barnes catches it as he attempts a shot, but Foster brings it down with his chest comfortably.
The Baggies counter and the ball is played long for Rondon, who cuts inside from the left before aiming for the far bottom corner, but he misses the target as the ball bobbles behind for a goal kick.
Burnley get their first corner of the game as Barnes turns well in the box before sending the ball low across goal, but it's cut out by Yacob. The ball is swung in from the corner flag, but it's comfortably cleared by the hosts.
Erm, what was that?! A crunching electrical sound seems to have come from the PA system. Nobody white knows what happened there...
Burnley fans try to encourage their players as they go on the attack. They get fortunate when West Brom lose the ball. It's played out to Ward, who goes for a deep cross, but Foster comfortably catches.
Fletcher swings the ball into the box after some link-up play with Morrison and Nyom. It's aimed at Rondon, but Heaton manages to get their first and snatch the ball from the air.
The hosts win a free kick and it's delivered deep into the box by Brunt. It finds Dawson, who goes for a sweeping header, but he misses the target.
GOAL! WEST BROM 4-0 BURNLEY (RONDON)
He's deserved a goal and he's got it! Rondon makes it four! A first time pass out wide from Morrison to Nyom, who cuts the ball across the face of goal from the byline to find Rondon. The forward swivels inside the box and drills it home, with the help of a couple of deflections. Game over?
Rondon chases down the ball and gets hacked down by Arfield in the process. The Burnley man is lucky to escape a yellow card!
BURNLEY SUB: Dyche makes his second personnel change of the game as Gray comes on for Vokes.
CHANCE! A rare opportunity for Burnley as Gudmundsson lets a shot fly from the edge of the area. It's a stinging shot, but it's directed straight at the keeper.
WEST BROM SUB: A change for the hosts as McClean comes on for Phillips.
SAVE! Burnley win a free kick a few yards from the edge of the box and its Gudmundsson who bends it around the wall, forcing Foster to tip it over the crossbar for a corner, which comes to nothing.
WEST BROM, BURNLEY SUBS: A standing ovation for Rondon as he walks off the pitch to make way for Robson-Kanu. Burnley also make a change as Boyd replaces Gudmundsson.
There's not a huge amount of action to shout about as West Brom look comfortable maintaining their lead.
CHANCE! Brunt delivers a dangerous cross into the box towards Robson-Kanu, who tries to chase it down but he just cannot connect as its sent out for a corner.
WEST BROM SUB: Another standing ovation as Morrison makes way for Gardner.
West Brom are hunting for more goals as they produce wave upon wave of attack, but so far, Burnley are keeping them out.
CLOSE! Gardner almost nabs a fifth with a long-range effort, but it gets a slight deflection off Keane and goes wide. The corner is cleared by the Clarets.
Another corner for West Brom as Dawson rises high to meet the ball. He connects with a header but ends up nodding the ball wide.
FULL-TIME: WEST BROM 4-0 BURNLEY
So, there we have it, West Brom claim a thumping 4-0 win over Burnley! Matt Phillips, James Morrison, Darren Fletcher and Salomon Rondon got on the scoresheet to give Tony Pulis his biggest win of the season so far. It is also the first time since August that the Baggies have kept a clean sheet. As a result, West Brom have moved up to ninth in the Premier League table, while Burnley drop one place to 12th. Thank you for joining us, and until next time, goodbye!