The Hawthorns is set for an early showdown on Sunday as the Baggies face recently relegated Burnley in the Championship, looking to build on their 2-1 victory over Norwich last weekend.
The Championship weekend returned last week and it was some game at Norwich where we secured all three points at Carrow Road there was controversy following Heggebo’s goal where it touched his hand following the goal, there are talks whether VAR should be used in the league, I don’t think it should be used in the Premier League never mind the Championship as it takes too long to review. Following writing this match preview now Heggebo has recieved a two match ban and would be banned from this game and the cup tie at Newcastle on Wednesday night.
Attention now turns to Burnley as they come into this recently relegated from the Championship and drew 2-2 at home to West Ham last Sunday and now are looking to get off the mark here.
Back at The Hawthorns for the first time since April, can the Baggies keep up their good run against Burnley?
Player To Watch – Burnley
Zian Flemming is a player to watch because he is a strong attacking player who can score goals and create chances. He works hard for the team and can play in different attacking positions. His goal-scoring ability and performances make him an exciting player to keep an eye on and he has had a brace over West Ham last weekend and has interest abroad with Lille in France shwoing interest in the forward.
Flemming also played a key role in Burnley’s promotion, scoring 12 Championship goals during the 2024/25 season. He then continued his impressive form in the Premier League, scoring 11 goals last season. His ability to score consistently at both levels makes him an important player for Burnley and someone to watch closely this season.
He will be a key player to watch on Sunday, with the West Brom defence likely to have him firmly in their sights. Defenders such as George Campbell and Nat Phillips will need to be aware of Flemming’s movement, attacking threat and goal-scoring ability throughout the game.
Player To Watch – West Brom
I used Jimmy Jay Morgan as my Player to Watch last weekend, and while I could easily go with him again, this time I’m going for Barney Stewart. He has looked impressive during Pre-Season and has made some good cameos so far this season.
With Aune Heggebo now suspended for two games, this could be the perfect opportunity for Stewart to show what he can do in the Championship having impressed in the Scottish Premier with Falkirk last season.
I’m expecting him to take his chance and make an impact, he has been given a nickname called Dinosaur following his roar in Pre-Season training but wouldn’t be surprised if does the roar celebration by getting his first goal in front of The Hawthorns fans.
Line up V Burnley
The line up for Burnley at Home, it’s almost the same line up as last weekend but the only change is Heggebo who is suspended to be replaced by Barney Stewart who is looking to impress here.
Prediction V Burnley
Now for a score prediction, last time out I said we draw the opening weekend at Norwich with a 2-2 draw, I almost was correct but I take a 2-1 victory over a side that be up there this season.
This time I predicted at the start Burnley would struggle this season, they played well against West Ham do I see them finishing in the Top Eight probably not if they don’t keep hold of Flemming as he has interest by Ligue 1 Side Lille. If they keep hold, they do have a chance.
For this game, I think Burnley would get a early goal, I predicted last week that Norwich like to score early and like to score late aswell but the opposition tend to score late but would get a early goal with Zian Flemming beating Max O’Leary to take the lead.
The Baggies would grow into the game around the 30 minute mark and it would still be 1-0 to Burnley we see a Isaac Price free kick been on target for Max Weiss to make a remarkable save. Around the 42nd minute we see Jimmy-Jay Morgan play on for Harry Whitwell to beat his defender to then strike to give us the equaliser near the break.
After the break, in the first 2 minutes, we then see Harry Whitwell to make a step-over for Jimmy-Jay Morgan to keep his goalscoring form to put the Baggies into the lead for the first time in the game. We would see more from him being close to getting his brace that would hit the post.
Around the 70th minute Jimmy-Jay Morgan would play for Barney Stewart to getting his first goal of the season to give us a 3-1 lead to start the Baggies fans to chant “Boing Boing”, Burnley would try to get a goal back but the Baggies would hold on to get their second Championship straight win of the season and to keep their 100% winning streak in Pre-Season and all competitions going.
Prediction: West Brom 3-1 Burnley
Goalscorers for West Brom: Harry Whitwell, Jimmy-Jay Morgan & Barney Stewart
Goalscorers for Burnley: Zian Flemming
I seem to be confident on Sunday, I seen us play in Pre-Season and the last two games in the Cup and Norwich, we didn’t look our best at Norwich but it was a smash and grab win but here I think it be the same.
I think Burnley are not the same side as two seasons ago and we’ve improved massively under James Morrison and his players playing at their best and seems to be working, with confidence high it be even higher with a win come Sunday. With us playing in front of our home fans for the first time since April, the players would get our fans going and help us with a 3-1 win.