Good morning! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the first of three Premier League matches today as Burnley host West Bromwich Albion at Turf Moor in a relegation six-pointer. Both sides are deeply embroiled in the battle to avoid the drop, while results yesterday for some of the teams around them have made picking up points today even more important for both sides, so we should be in for an intriguing contest here. Let's start with a look at the hosts...

Burnley find themselves in a somewhat surprising position this morning have been one point above Hull City when the weekend of football began, but the Tigers' stunning draw against champions Manchester City at the Etihad saw the Clarets drop back into the bottom three. Sean Dyche would have been almost as relieved as Manuel Pellegrini when he saw James Milner's late free kick bend in for City, as it means his side must simply avoid defeat today to climb back out of the drop zone.

Indeed, the relegation battle is so tight at the moment and involves a fairly hefty cluster of teams, which means that a victory would lift Burnley up to 15th in the table. While they would still only be three points from danger, the psychological effect of having a couple of teams between you and relegation zone could be important for Burnley, particularly as they won't have experienced that too often this season.

Winning is not something Burnley have found easy in recent weeks, however, nor indeed over the whole campaign. They have only won one of their last nine outings in all competitions, with five defeats in that time. That run is just one win in seven in the Premier League, and they have emerged with maximum points just four times all season, giving them a fairly paltry tally of 20 points from their 23 games. The 40-point mark is usually the safety point for teams, so Burnley will need to up their average in their remaining 15 games.

The Clarets come into this one having lost their last three in all competitions, two of which have come in the Premier League. Surprisingly for a team that has struggled for the majority of the campaign, they haven't found themselves on such a losing run too often, usually managing to grind out draws here and there. Today, they are looking to avoid falling to a fourth consecutive defeat for the first time since November 2011.

The latest of those defeats came at the hands of another team down in the bottom half of the table as they were beaten 2-0 by Sunderland. The Clarets had blown leads against Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace before that game but rarely looked like troubling the Black Cats too much as Wickham opened the scoring before Jermain Defoe got his first goal for the club. Sean Dyche will be looking for a response to what was a fairly limp performance from his side at the Stadium of Light.

The biggest concern for Burnley this season is the lack of goals. They have found the back of the net just 21 times all season, including only 11 in their last 12 home outings. Four of those 11 have come in their last two, so there are signs of improvement, but Dyche still needs more players to shoulder the goalscoring burden with the likes of Danny Ings. Things aren't much better at the other end of the field, where only Queens Park Rangers have conceded more than Burnley's 38 goals.

The positive for Burnley is that their home form has been decent for a team battling against relegation, and that will be key between now and the end of the season. Three of their four wins this season have come at Turf Moor, and two of those have come in their last four games, including victory over Southampton. Home or away, though, there is no getting away from the fact that Burnley have a horrendous run of fixtures coming up. After today's match, their next eight games are all against teams currently in the top half, while the one after that is against an improving Everton side. Manchester United, Chelsea, Swansea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Southampton, Tottenham and Arsenal are next up for the Clarets.

That makes picking up a win today all the more important, then, but they are unlikely to get an easy time of things up against a Tony Pulis side. The new boss has overseen an immediate improvement in West Bromwich Albion, as he seems to do with every side he takes charge of. However, the job is still far from done and, with just two points separating the Baggies from the bottom three, Pulis arguably faces a tougher job this season than he did with Crystal Palace in the last campaign.

There has been unrest at the club this week, however, with Saido Berahino expressing his desire to move on to "bigger and better things" in the summer during an unauthorised interview. Pulis, typically, did not stand for such comments and disciplined the youngster, as well as leaving him out of the starting lineup for today's match. Berahino scored twice in the reverse fixture at The Hawthorns, but it is a clear message from Pulis that such behaviour will not be tolerated, even from the club's star performer this season.

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The dilemma for Pulis is that West Brom really could do with Berahino's goals in order to stay up. I mentioned Burnley profligacy in front of goal, but the Baggies have fared even worse, finding the net a mere 20 times from their 23 outings, including just twice in their last five. Only Aston Villa have scored fewer than that this season and it is an area where West Brom simply must improve if they are to stay in the division.

It is at the other end of the field where Tony Pulis usually has his biggest impact, however. The likes of Stoke and Crystal Palace were never big scorers, but Pulis got them winning games and picking up points through a sturdy defence. With the exception of last week, that has been the case since his arrival, with three clean sheets in his five matches in charge. Indeed, no team in the bottom half of the table has conceded fewer goals than the Baggies this season.

They have, however, only won one of their last seven Premier League games. Pulis's improvement is clear to see, with four points from his first three league games compared to just one point from the four prior to his arrival, but he will know that his side still need to get better if they are to distance themselves from the drop in coming weeks.

Away form is an area that the Baggies will be eager to improve having won just two on the road all season and none of their last six. Only Aston Villa have scored fewer than West Brom's six away goals so far, while stretching back to last season the Baggies have only managed eight goals on the road in their last 16 away outings. Somewhat surprisingly, though, their defensive record away from home is very impressive - only Southampton and Chelsea have conceded fewer goals on their travels.

They will need to pick themselves up from last weekend's defeat, which saw them comfortably dispatched by Tottenham Hotspur at The Hawthorns. The Baggies had their chances and were thwarted by a couple of world-class saves from Lloris, but in the end slumped to a convincing 3-0 defeat courtesy of goals from Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane. It was Pulis's first defeat as West Brom manager and he will demand a reaction from his players today, particularly having given up three goals. Don't be surprised if a clean sheet is the visitors' priority today.

TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides and, as previously alluded to, the headline news is that Saido Berahino has been dropped to the bench for the visitors. He is replaced by Sessegnon, while there is also a Baggies debut for Darren Fletcher in midfield. Wisdom and Morrison drop out of the side, with Baird also coming in at right-back. Incredibly, Sean Dyche has named an unchanged side for the 10th Premier League game in a row as he continues to keep faith with his players. Full team news coming right up...

BURNLEY STARTING XI: Heaton; Trippier, Keane, Shackell, Mee; Boyd, Marney, Jones, Arfield; Barnes, Ings

BURNLEY SUBS: Duff, Wallace, Vokes, Kightly, Reid, Jutkiewicz, Gilks

WEST BROM STARTING XI: Foster; Baird, Dawson, McAuley, Lescott; McManaman, Yacob, Fletcher, Brunt; Sessegnon, Anichebe

WEST BROM SUBS: Wisdom, Morrison, Gardner, Ideye, Pocognoli, Berahino, Rose

What can we make of those two sides, then? Well, for Burnley is it yet another unchanged starting XI, making it 10 Premier League matches in a row that Dyche has refused to make changes to his team. The benefit of a settled side is obvious, but it can also have a detrimental effect is those who are consistently on the bench aren't getting a chance even when the side is not winning games. Incidentally, only Birmingham (12 games in 2009-10) have been unchanged for longer in Premier League history.

That means that Ings continues up front having stayed at Burnley during the January transfer window despite heavy speculation linking him to the likes of Liverpool and Real Sociedad. A summer move looks likely now, but he was quick to commit himself to the Clarets until the end of the campaign and will be a key figure for Sean Dyche's side if they are to avoid the drop.

Perhaps the first thing for Burnley to address for the rest of the season is their defensive lapses. They began the campaign fairly solidly at the back, keeping a number of clean sheets, but they haven't stopped the opposition from scoring in their last nine outings now and have seen their defensive record slump to being the worst in the league. With such a settled back line, they need to start keeping more clean sheets.

As for West Brom, Berahino's exclusion is a big call from Pulis but not really a surprising one. The Welshman is a notorious disciplinarian with his players and it was always unlikely that he would let Berahino's comments fly under the radar. Exclusion from the starting XI is a public punishment for the young striker, who will certainly not win his place back in the side on his growing reputation alone. He will need to show the right attitude for Pulis, otherwise he could be out in the cold for a long time.

Whilst Berahino is a significant exclusion, a notable inclusion is that of Darren Fletcher, who joined the club on a free transfer from Manchester United on deadline day. The experienced midfielder not only makes his debut for the Baggies but also captains the side this afternoon. It looks to have been a brilliant piece of business from Tony Pulis to bring him in, and it is no surprise to see him thrust straight into the starting lineup.

Fletcher replaces James Morrison in the side, with Yacob the man to keep his place. Yacob is the type of payer who Pulis would really like and he is expected to play a big part between now and the end of the season, so Morrison faces a tough ask in getting a regular starting spot back in this side. Another January signing in Callum McManaman will patrol the right wing, while Brunt continues on the opposite flank.

There is one more change at the back as Wisdom drops to the bench to be replaced by Baird in the starting lineup, which is something of a surprise given Wisdom's decent form so far this season. Dawson and McAuley continue in the middle while Lescott, who incidentally has conceded a league-high three penalties this season, is expected to play on the left once again.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff at Turf Moor, which means that it is time for a prediction! This really is a tough one to call, with so much riding on the game for both sides. A victory would do wonders for either side, but at the same time it is one neither can really afford to lose. I'm expecting quite a tight game and, as much as I don't like predicting no goals, I'm going to go for a 0-0 draw here.

So, that's what I think, but how about the Sports Mole sofa? You can find out their views on this match in our video preview of the game below:

This is the first time that Burnley have hosted West Brom in the top flight since December 1970, but in the intervening years the Baggies haven't had a good record here. They have won just one of their last 13 league meetings with the Clarets at Turf Moor, drawing six and losing six of the remaining 12. That solitary victory came all the way back in 2002, when West Brom won 2-0 in a League One encounter.

Burnley will be out for revenge today having been on the end of a bit of a thumping at The Hawthorns back in September. Dawson, Berahino (2) and Dorrans were all on the scoresheet for Alan Irvine's West Brom side as they cruised to a 4-0 victory. The last time these two met here, however, was in 2009 when Burnley won 3-1 in an FA Cup fourth-round replay.

The teams are out and we're just a couple of minutes away from kickoff at Turf Moor here. This is a huge match for both sides, particularly Burnley given their upcoming fixtures.

KICKOFF: Burnley get us underway at a foggy Turf Moor as they look to climb back out of the relegation zone. Can they do it, or will West Brom return to winning ways under Pulis?

CHANCE! An early chance for the hosts as some nice build-up play from Burnley almost sees a shooting opportunity open up for Boyd. The midfielder can't get an effort away, but the ball then sits up nicely for Ings, who lashes a strike over the bar from the edge of the box.

It has been a good start to this match from Burnley, who are looking to get on the front foot in the opening exchanges. West Brom are yet to really settle, playing a number of aimless long balls forward that Anichebe has not been able to make anything of.

This time it is Burnley who hoist a long ball forward and Barnes attacks it, challenging Foster. The West Brom keeper spills it, but recovers before Barnes can react and collects the ball.

OFF THE BAR! What a save from Foster! Trippier whips the ball in from the right and the ball breaks to Arfield on the edge of the box. The Burnley man places an effort towards the top corner and it looks destined to hit the back of the net, only for Foster to flick it onto the crossbar with a world-class stop. Incredible goalkeeping.

That is a couple of decent sights of goal Burnley have had in the opening 10 minutes here and the hosts have been comfortably the better team in this one so far. West Brom just haven't got going yet and they have Foster's magnificent save to thank for still being level.

Nothing Foster can do about this one! Burnley get a deserved opener through Barnes's fifth league goal of the season, but huge credit must also go to Ings. The striker collects the ball on the edge of the box after a smart dummy and beats one man before hooking a cross in for Barnes to attack. He does exactly that, beating his man in the air to nod home from close range.

Burnley come forward again looking for a quick second as Boyd races down the right flank unchallenged. He cuts the ball back into the middle for Marney, but it is just behind the midfield and he can't get his foot round it to turn it on target.

Burnley won't be used to having 67% possession this season, but that is exactly what they have enjoyed so far today. They have been comfortably the better side in the opening quarter of an hour and thoroughly deserve their lead. They are looking good for a second soon too.

Well, this is very interesting. Berahino is stripped off and ready to come on after just 17 minutes having initially been left out of the side. Anichebe is not moving freely and could have an injury, but Berahino looks like being brought in from the wilderness a lot sooner than expected.

WEST BROM SUB: There is the change as Saido Berahino replaces Anichebe with a point to prove to his manager.

I wouldn't say that Berahino has been at the centre of everything since coming on, but he has certainly made an immediate difference. The change seems to have galvanised the visitors here and suddenly they are looking threatening in the final third for the first time today.

CHANCE! The Baggies have their best chance of the match so far as Fletcher whips a lovely ball into the middle that Lescott attacks. The defenders looks to have climbed above his man and looped a good chance onto the roof of the net, but the replay shows that Keane got the final touch and did well to deny the Baggies defender a clear opening.

Sessegnon, who has moved into a more central role now, picks the ball up just outside the Burnley area and bundles away from a couple of challenges before going for goal from 20 yards. However, he doesn't catch the shot well and the scuffed effort is simple for Heaton to collect.

The visitors will be feeling a lot better about their chances in this match right now. They were comfortably second best before Berahino's introduction and could well have been two behind inside 15 minutes for the second game in a row, but they have responded well and a carrying more of a threat now.

Sessegnon in particular has been a lot more involved since moving into the middle, and that has helped West Brom to keep hold of the ball inside the Burnley half more often, allowing them to build attacks.

As a sign of the turnaround in momentum during this game, West Brom have had 60% of the ball in the last 10 minutes. Right now, Sean Dyche would be content to simply hold on to this lead until half time.

The fog is getting very thick inside Turf Moor, and visibility is poor out on the field. It must be difficult for the players to distinguish each other at opposite ends of the field, especially for West Brom in their white shirts. For the keepers, meanwhile, a lack of visibility can cause some real problems.

Ings had no problem spotting that cross into the box! Trippier produces a lovely dummy to let the ball run down the right flank for Boyd, who races onto it. He clips a good cross into the middle and Ings meets it with a really good header, placing his effort in off the post with Foster helpless. That goal could be huge for the hosts!

Is there any way back for West Brom now? Well, Burnley's defence has been notoriously shaky in recent weeks so they will still harbour some hopes of getting themselves back into this match, but the next goal is absolutely crucial. That Ings header is a huge blow for the visitors, who were right back in the match following their slow start.

An injury concern for Marney as he goes down off the ball with no West Brom player around him. He limps off the field under his own volition but it doesn't look good for the midfielder. He may not be able to continue here.

Marney limped off on the far side of the field, which meant that the physio had to run all the way around the pitch to treat him. After a bit of work, Marney limps back onto the field and he will try to continue here. He is not moving freely at all, though.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the afternoon is shown to Baird, who just blocked off Boyd with a cynical foul after the Burnley man had flicked the ball beyond him.

Burnley have clearly highlighted McManaman as a dangerous player for the visitors as they are doing a really good job of doubling up on the January arrival. As a result, he hasn't been able to have a say on this game so far.

Again Burnley get joy down their right, with Arfield and Trippier combining. The latter sends a good cross into the middle that Ings is very interested in, but West Brom do just about enough to deny the striker a second goal.

There will be a minimum of two minutes added time at the end of this first half.

What a time for West Brom to score! They halve the deficit just a minute before the break as Brunt attacks a corner really well at the back post, nodding his header into the ground. It bounces up and over Heaton, clipping the underside of the crossbar on its way in. Suddenly Burnley's lead does not look so comfortable!

So much for my prediction of a goalless match! It has been a veritable goal-fest so far at Turf Moor, with Burnley taking a 2-1 lead into half time of their relegation battle with West Brom. It could have been more for the hosts, but West Brom held on and struck just before the interval to ensure that they are still very much in this game going into the second half.

The opening goal came after just 11 minutes as Danny Ings did well to hook the ball up in the middle for Ashley Barnes, who attacked it, beat his man in the air and nodded the ball beyond Foster from close range. It was a relatively simple finish for the striker, who got his fifth goal of the season, but the main credit should go to Ings, who did really well to set up the chance.

Ings got his name on the scoresheet shortly after the half-hour mark to double his side's lead following some more nice build-up play from the hosts, this time down the right flank. Trippier's dummy sent Boyd through down the wing and the midfielder completely lost Brunt before putting a fine cross into the middle. Ings arrived late into the area and planted a header in off the inside of the post.

It was a deserved two-goal lead, but West Brom hauled themselves right back into it in first-half stoppage time with the third headed goal of the game. This time it came from a set piece as a corner arrived at the back post, where Brunt attacked it to nod a downward header up and over Heaton. It was a real blow for Burnley, and it will be interesting to see how they respond after the break.

It could have been even better for Burnley as they hit the woodwork after just eight minutes, with Arfield curling an effort towards the top corner from the edge of the box. However, Foster pulled off an outstanding stop to tip the shot onto the crossbar and deny the Clarets an early lead. Ings also had another sight of goal in the opening minutes for Burnley, but blazed his shot over the bar.

The big worry for Burnley right now will be a repeat of their last home match against Crystal Palace. The Clarets were two up in that match before going into the break at 2-1 and ultimately losing the game 3-2. They simply can't afford that to happen again with their horrendous upcoming fixture list. This is a huge upcoming 45 minutes for them.

KICKOFF: West Brom get us back underway for the second half, and there have been subs for both sides at the break. Michael Kightly has been brought on for Marney for the hosts, while West Brom bring on Brown Ideye for Baird.

Kightly picks the ball up on the right wing and cuts inside onto his left foot. He has a man open on the edge of the box but turns down a simply square pass in favour of an ambitious effort that flies a long way off target.

YELLOW CARD! Yacob is the second player in the book for a late challenge on Ings. No complaints with that one.

Burnley are looking relatively comfortable in the opening stages of this second half, but there is just a feeling of nervousness around Turf Moor following that West Brom goal just before the break.

Dawson marauds down the right and bundles his way into the box, almost getting all the way through before finally being stopped. Burnley then have a chance to break at the other end, but the attack peters out following a couple of failed crosses into the box.

Ideye's arrival at half time has seen Sessegnon move back out wide, which is preventing him from having as big an impact as he had at times in the first half. He enjoyed a decent 10-minute spell just behind Berahino earlier in the game but is on the periphery of things again now.

Bright play from West Brom as they play a quick free kick into the box that Fletchers latches on to. However, the new skipper's touch is a little disappointing and forces him out wide, allowing Burnley to recover.

Neither side has really been able to grab hold of this second half so far. Burnley were comfortably the better team before the break, but they have struggled to find the same sort of rhythm since the interval, while West Brom have only offered a limited threat throughout.

Trippier's delivery is renowned for being good, and he whips another beauty in from deep here. It is just too high for Barnes, whose muted claims for a penalty are ignored, while Boyd just can't reach it at the back post either.

Barnes does really well to chase a ball into the corner and hold off a couple of white shirts, winning a corner. Brunt was furious with the linesman for not awarding a free kick, and as a result he gets a warning from referee Mike Dean.

SAVE! The resulting corner initially comes to nothing, but the ball eventually arrives out to Shackell. He lets fly from 25 yards on the volley, but in the end it is simple for Foster as it bounces up at a nice height for the keeper to catch.

YELLOW CARD! Ideye, moments after getting away with one foul, goes into the book for a handball. It is a harsh one if the card was shown for that, although it may have been to do with the striker's protestations.

West Brom have another chance from a corner, and again they threaten with it. Lescott attacks it well, but this time Burnley do just about enough to put it behind for another corner.

West Brom complete the turnaround! Again it is a corner that does the damage, and it is far too easy for Ideye to nod the ball home for the fourth headed goal of this match. Brunt's delivery is a good one, but Jones completely loses his man, leaving Ideye unmarked in the middle of the area to glance his header home.

Berahino looks for a quick third goal for his side as he races forward despite being constantly pulled back. Mike Dean plays advantage but, when Berahino fires his low shot wide of the mark, the referee awards a goal kick rather than a free kick, much to the West Brom striker's chagrin.

It is West Brom who are on the front foot now, looking for that third goal to complete what would be a remarkable turnaround. They will have a chance with another corner here...

SAVE! Again West Brom cause problems with the corner as Brunt swings it to the back post this time, Lescott is there to meet it with a decent enough header, but he can't generate the power needed to beat Heaton, who makes a comfortable catch.

This next 15 minutes or so could well be among the most important in Burnley's entire season. They need to get the momentum back and push for a winner here as their upcoming fixtures are horrendous. They simply can't afford to let a two-goal lead slip in two consecutive home matches.

OFF THE LINE! Burnley almost regain the lead with a corner of their own, but Lescott is there to clear the danger off the line! It was Shackell who looped a good header goalwards from Trippier's delivery, but Lescott was back there to nod the ball away.

Burnley have responded well to Ideye's equaliser. They have regained a bit of control of the game and, right now, look most likely to get a winning goal. West Brom seem like they would be fairly content with a draw and, considering the way the game has gone, it would certainly be a better point for the visitors.

Another important block from Lescott denies Burnley here as the hosts advance down the right flank. Trippier's delivery is nodded back inside and only cleared as far as Jones, whose low strike was blocked by the centre-back before it could reach Foster.

WEST BROM SUB: The Baggies make their third and final change as James Morrison replaces McManaman, who has been very quiet today.

PENALTY SHOUT! Burnley want a penalty as a cross from Mee strikes McAuley on the arm just inside the box, diverting the ball out of the path of Barnes. The replay shows that it certainly hit the defender's arm and he was far enough away from Mee to warrant that being a penalty. The visitors have got away with one there.

YELLOW CARD! Dawson is the latest player on the book for a foul on Kightly moments after blocking off the same player.

A hint of an opening for Burnley as Sessegnon's header on the edge of his own box is pounced upon by Keane, who races past one player in the West Brom box. However, Sessegnon gets back to make amends and the ball ends up safely in the arms of Foster.

Brilliant piece of defending from Shackell as he denies Berahino the winner. Morrison does well down the left before fizzing a low ball into the box that Berahino met from close range, but Shackell was there to make a vital block.

OFF THE LINE! How are West Brom not ahead here?! Shackell, moments after that block, gets himself in a huge muddle in his own six-yard box and gifts possession to Berahino right in front of goal. The young striker looks to place his shot in, but Heaton makes a fine save to tip the ball against Mee on the line. Quite how that stayed out, I'm not sure, but Burnley survive!

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match as both sides continue to search for a winning goal.

Vital block from Dawson as he throws himself in the way of Kightly's effort after the ball had broken back to the sub inside the box. It's all getting a bit frantic in these closing stages!

It ends honours even at Turf Moor as West Bromwich Albion come from behind to rescue a point against Burnley in their relegation battle this afternoon. The Clarets climb out of the relegation zone as a result of the point, but it is the second home match in a row that they have squandered a two-goal lead and that will worry Sean Dyche hugely. The Baggies, meanwhile, move three points clear of the bottom three but have now only won one of their last eight league outings.

It was Burnley who started much the better side, hitting the bar early on before Ashley Barnes opened the scoring shortly afterwards. Danny Ings was the provider for that goal and got his own name on the scoresheet to double his side's lead later in the half with a fine header into the corner. However, Chris Brunt pulled one back for the visitors right on the stroke of half time before swinging in the corner from which Brown Ideye glanced home the equaliser.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for an entertaining clash at the bottom of the table as Burnley and West Brom share four goals evenly between them at Turf Moor. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. Our coverage of Newcastle vs. Stoke is already underway, while you can also follow West Ham vs. Manchester United with us later today. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!