James Buttler looks ahead to Thursday evening's Championship match between the Baggies and the Clarets and finds the very best bets.
It’s West Brom in sixth and Burnley in fourth as the two teams seek an upturn in form at The Hawthorns on Thursday evening,
Clarets missing goals
Burnley travel to the West Midlands short of goals and off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Millwall at Turf Moor on Sunday. The Clarets have only scored two goals once in their last seven Championship matches and that was in the only game they’ve won in their last five outings, a 2-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday.
That Millwall loss was Burnley’s first defeat in nine league matches, but a blistering start to the season has been somewhat slowed with three draws in their last five matches.
Baggies the draw bores
And West Brom have become draw specialists with five on the bounce, the most recent point coming from a 1-1 at Luton Town. That took their winless streak to seven matches, so just five points from the last 21 available.
Another draw?
You might see where I’m going with this one when I tell you that three of the last four H2Hs between the sides have ended level. The draw at 11/5 with BetFred is very much a stats and form play, but it won’t make either side particularly happy.
If you’re looking for a positive outcome, Burnley have won the other two matches in the last five, with a 2-1 victory at Turf Moor the last time they faced off in January last year.
Two 0-0s have occurred in the last two West Brom home games, against Millwall and Cardiff City, whereas the last six Burnley away matches have seen them hit the net only four times. Under 2.5 match goals is 4/7 with PaddyPower.
Compelling viewing?
This match is interesting, not because it’s necessarily going to be highly entertaining, but because both sides are hard to break down and both need a shot in the arm in terms of their promotion aspirations. Neither side are collecting enough points in that regard.
There have been no match goals scored in the first half in each of West Brom’s last four home games and with this match being a potentially cagey affair, 0-0 at half-time at 6/4 with Bet365 might be worth a look.
With both sides struggling for goals, Both Teams To Score not to land at 4/5 with Betfair is not a daft punt.
It will be compelling viewing to see if either side can kickstart their campaigns, but when I’m tipping, I can’t do it hoping for entertainment. I’ve got to be honest, and this is the draw and unders, which does neither side much good at all.
James’ Championship tips
The draw in West Brom v Burnley at 11/5
Under 2.5 match goals at 4/7
A 0-0 scoreline at half-time at 6/4
Draw HT / Draw FT at 7/2
However you bet, please gamble responsibly.