Burnley vs. West Bromwich Albion – EPL, February 20, 2021

It is another six-pointer at the foot of the table as Burnley takes on West Brom on Saturday. Both teams need a win – but avoiding defeat might be even more important.

There has been some hope for both sides this week, as results helped Burnley and West Brom dream that they won’t be dropping down to the Championship next season. But can that form continue?

There seems to be some belief at BetOnline that Sam Allardyce might be able to change West Brom’s fortunes after all, as I would have had the Baggies with a much longer price here. Burnley is a deserved favorite, though – and the positive odds might make the home win bet worth it.

Burnley might only have drawn with Fulham at home at the weekend, but Sean Dyche will be more than happy with the result. He was forced to field a much-changed starting eleven because of injuries – and was also able to take points off a Fulham side that remains eight points behind.

Ben Mee should be able to play against West Brom after missing that Fulham game – and if Chris Wood can also play a part, Dyche will be expecting his team to pick up more than the solitary point. It would help if the Clarets can extend the points gap even further, but don’t expect a glut of goals.

West Brom managed to compete with another of the top sides on Sunday, as it restricted Manchester United to a draw at The Hawthorns. Sam Allardyce has now completely changed the look of the starting eleven – and his alterations do now look as they are having some effect.

One of those new arrivals, Mbaye Diagne, scored the opening goal against United after just two minutes – and others like Ainsley Maitland-Niles were able to ensure that the expected comeback didn’t blow the Baggies away. I’m still not sure West Brom will stay up, but there is some belief back at the club now.

West Brom has now recorded positive results against Liverpool and both Manchester clubs this season, but it is still 12 points from safety with just 14 games to go. Until it can beat its closest rivals, there seems to be no chance of survival – and Burnley tends to be far more pragmatic with the way it goes about its games. This should be a home win for the Clarets.