Burnley v West Brom Betting Tip

Burnley v West Brom
3rd February 2009- 17.45pm

After a 2-2 draw at The Hawthorns ten days ago these two teams clash once again in the replay at Turf Moor. The game is subject to a pitch inspection although the ground does have under-soil heating so one would assume any decision to call the game off would be in the interests of “fans safety“

The home side go into the game on the back of a 2-1  home victory over Charlton at the weekend, coming from 1-0 down to sneak victory in the 94th minute. Out of the 46 points they have accumulated so far this season 28 have been won at Turf Moor not to mention their excellent run in the Carling Cup and their recent victory over Spurs although Pavlychenko’s late goal saw Spurs to Wembley.

Their form has tailed off slightly and they show a recent record of just three wins in their last eleven games and have lost four of their last eight in all competitions. This would seem to suggest the strong cup run in the aforementioned cup has taken it’s toll on the small squad they possess, they have already played 40 games so far this season and have nearly a third of the season still to play, veteran right back Graham Alexander has played in all 40 so far and five of the squad have played 35+ games. Martin Patterson remains their top scorer with 16 goals in all competitions so far.

The visitors turn up at Turf Moor with a horrendous injury list which includes ten of their first team squad and they bookies have reacted accordingly making them outsiders to progress to the next round. They came from behind to take a point away at Hull on Saturday with Chris Brunt keeping his cool to equalise from the penalty spot late on, but in the process lost playmaker Koren aswell as record signing Borja Valero for the cup replay. It is likely Pele and Kim will have to deputise at Turf Moor.

Although they prop up the Premiership table they can boast only three defeats in their last 10 games in all competitions, a run which includes four victories along the way and the recent loan signing of Jay Simpson from Arsenal seems to have given them a real focal point in attack, his pace seems to be unsettling a lot of decent centre halves. Add to his recent signing the fact that Chris Brunt seems to be finding his best form for the baggies since his £3m move from Sheffield Wednesday and you could be forgiven for thinking the baggies may yet avoid relegation.

Due to the obvious injury worries of West Brom the bookies have cut their cloth accordingly and make the hosts favourite’s to progress but I like the way the baggies play their stuff and believe even with a weakened side they can progress at the expense of a recently tiring Burnley side and Coral’s 11/5 may just be a bit too generous.

West Brom to beat Burnley
1pt Win @ 11/5 (Coral)