This is an intriguing Thursday night battle at The Hawthorns between two teams expected to challenge for promotion. Both West Brom and Burnley occupy a play-off position, suggesting there is not all that much between the two outfits. A tactical battle is expected considering how tough to beat these teams are, just two league defeats apiece for each side suggests this.

The home side are enduring a seven-match winless run, although the last five have all ended in draws. Over their previous six, three ended 0-0 and the other three only produced five goals. These scores indicate another likely tight affair involving the Baggies.

Burnley are also involved in low-scoring affairs this season, they’ve conceded just six league goals, which is the joint-fewest in the Championship. They’ve not scored in their previous two and also in four of their past seven, if scoring remains an issue then being secure defensively is a must. Expect a cagey opening 45 minutes.

When Tom Nield is the referee, cards shouldn’t be too far away. Quite simply, he has been card heavy across the campaign, which has predominantly been in Championship fixtures. Although yet to issue a red card in his 11 matches in 2024/25, he is averaging 4.73 bookings per match.

Thursday’s home side are averaging 2.15 cards per game in league action, and they too have yet to have a red card issued in their direction in a league battle. They will be working very hard defensively against a strong opponent as their head coach really aligns his tactics based upon the strengths of the opposition, so getting too tight may attribute to some fouls being committed.

As for the Clarets, they’re averaging a slightly higher amount of cards compared to their opponents, 2.23 yellow cards per clash in the league, as well as receiving one red over the campaign.

Five straight draws is not exactly what West Brom would have wanted, although the obvious negative is zero victories, they’re at least remaining hard to beat. In two of those they won the xG battle, whereas in the other three they only narrowly lost in that category. Also, The Baggies have only lost once at home all season, and they ironically won the xG in that particular contest.

It is also hard to ignore the recent noise coming out of Burnley regarding their issues in attack. Given they’ve not scored in their last two, as well as three of their past five, it is a problem not so easily fixed, especially during a hectic schedule.

The Clarets have played 14 games in all competitions this season and only in three of those have they managed to defeat a -1 handicap. Two of those would also be in their opening two games of the league season. Although they don’t lose too many, they don’t tend to win so emphatically or convincingly either.

Callum Styles has certainly had to bide his time in breaking into the starting XI at West Brom. Even getting onto the pitch has been an issue full stop, but injuries elsewhere have handed the former Barnsley man a chance to impress. It is at left back, where he has some experience, but it certainly is not his strongest or the most effective role he could play.

The Hungary international started the last match at full back and in the game before he was a very early incoming substitute to also slot into this spot. In both appearances he received a yellow card and committed at least one foul.

It is needs must for the Albion and he will highly likely again have to play another full 90 minutes, which could be uncomfortable for him, especially with Burnley right winger Luca Koleosho a tricky customer to keep quiet.

The former Manchester United man enjoyed a run in the side when joining Burnley, however he has been rotated quite regularly in recent times. Manager Scott Parker says he is better suited to particular games and having been benched in the last match he should be recalled here. With Burnley looking to bounce back from a defeat, all players will look to produce a big effort, that is especially the case for hot-head Mejbri, who will maybe be too eager to impress.

The midfielder is also no stranger to getting stuck in and ultimately attracting the attention of the referee. Despite not starting at Millwall, he still managed to earn a yellow card, taking his season tally to three. He developed a reputation for collecting cards during a loan spell with Birmingham City at Championship level a few seasons ago.

Championship encounters this season overall are averaging 10.8 corners per match. To only expect eight or more when Burnley travel to West Brom doesn’t seem like too much to ask on that basis. This is ultimately two strong teams, who although haven’t necessarily been in great form, it is that reason why the appetite to win is very strong in both camps. This in turn means corners are on the cards with chances at either end anticipated.

Focusing on West Brom’s league encounters in league action, they are averaging 9.6 corners, Burnley are slightly lower on 8.5. The two teams themselves are averaging roughly 5.0 corners awarded, proving they like to be on the front foot and ultimately playing offensively. Neither will necessarily settle for a draw and the attacking willingness in both camps should open up spaces for attacks to progress further.

Karlan Grant has started 11 times for West Brom in the Championship this season, he is clearly an important squad player in the eyes of the manager. Carlos Corberán does want his wingers to contribute defensively, so this opens himself up for committing fouls.

The recent data also backs this up as Grant has started to more frequently attract the attention of the match referee. It would be fair to say he is very much a forward and won’t particularly enjoy doing the other side to the game, nor is he really a strong performer in that respect. The 27-year-old has committed at least one foul in three of his last four appearances.

With Lyle Foster out injured, Zian Flemming has been the man tasked with leading the Burnley attack in recent times. He does have experience of playing in this position but not necessarily as a lone striker. Still, he has done as good as can be expected and recently opened his scoring account for the club in the away draw at Hull. After serving a one-game ban, he is fresh and ready to get back on the pitch. He should also get long minutes given the limited options manager Parker has in this area.

The on-loan Millwall man may feel as though he should’ve had another goal to his name based upon his recent game statistics. That is because of his last three appearances, which included his goal at Hull, Flemming has had a total of 14 shots, six of which hit the target. Therefore, a player averaging 2.0 shots of target over three games will expect to work the goalkeeper at least once here.