Burnley boss Brian Laws was active in strengthening his squad before transfer deadline day and new arrivals Danny Fox and Jack Cork are both in line to make their debuts at Turf Moor as the Clarets seek a first win in 13 matches. There promises to be plenty of new faces on show for West Ham, too, with Gianfranco Zola’s trio of new strikers Benni McCarthy, Mido and Ilan all in contention to feature at some stage.

Quick Check

Burnley

  • Danny Fox and Jack Cork are hoping to make their debuts after arriving at Turf Moor in the last
  • Chris McCann and Graham Alexander are hopeful of returning from niggling injuries.
  • David Nugent is set to return in attack after having his loan from Portsmouth extended for the rest of the season.
  • Steven Fletcher scored twice against West Ham in Burnley’s 5-3 defeat at Upton Park.
  • Burnley have taken just four points from their last five home matches.
  • Stephen Jordan and Michael Duff are injury doubts.
  • Steven Caldwell is struggling with a groin problem that has sidelined him for the last six weeks.
  • The Clarets have not won in their last 12 league games.
  • Burnley are still searching for their victory under new boss Brian Laws.
  • The Clarets have gone 12 games without a clean sheet.

West Ham United

  • New signings Benni McCarthy, Mido and Ilan are in contention to make their debuts.
  • Carlton Cole is set to start his first game for more than two months.
  • Fellow striker Guillermo Franco and midfielder Scott Parker could also return after injury.
  • The Hammers beat Burnley 5-3 in November
  • Herta Ilunga and Daniel Gabbidon are struggling with a hamstring problems.
  • Midfielder Kieron Dyer is out with a hamstring injury.
  • Zavon Hines is still doubtful with a knee injury.
  • West Ham haven’t won away from home since the opening game of the season.

Expert Advice

After making a fantastic start to the season, Burnley have lost their way in recent months and this week saw them slip into the relegation zone for the first time this season. Five points from 12 games is the form of a team heading in the wrong direction and Brian Laws will be anxious for a change in fortunes before the slide becomes a full-blown crisis. Some new faces will help but they lack experience and could struggles against a West Ham side who have been buoyed by their recent takeover off the pitch. The Hammers may only be one point above the Clarets but boss Gianfranco Zola moved quickly on Monday to solve his team’s problems in front of goal and the difference in strike power could prove to be the difference at Turf Moor, with an away win by one goal at Betsson’s price of 4.45 looking a value bet.

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