West Bromwich Albion kick-start the 2007-08 campaign with an away trip to Lancashire outfit Burnley.
Burnley Team News:
Burnley boss Steve Coterill have been shrewd the transfer market this summer and has been quick to capitalise on the trouble at Elland Road by brining in Leeds United striker Robbie Blake and Crystal Palace keeper Gabor Kiraly whilst Stephen Jordan (Manchester City) has also joined in what was a quite transfers for the Clarets.
Meanwhile Graham Branch (Accrington Stanley), Danny Coyne (Tranmere Rovers) and Frank Sinclair (Huddersfield Town) have left Turf Moor to their respective clubs.
Blake is expected to make his second debut for the Clarets having already served under the Turf Moor regime whilst new signings Stephan Jordan and Gabor Kiraly are likely to start with Albanian forward Besart Berisha on the bench.
Player to watch: Robbie Blake
WBA Team News:
West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Mowbray has also been busy in the transfer market – and arguably most busiest manager in Football League.
Albion have made ninesignings over the summer; Leon Barnett (Luton), Craig Beattie (Celtic), Cark Hoefkins (Stoke), James Morrison (Middlesbrough), Fillipe Teixeira (Academica de Coimbra), Tininho (Beira Mar), Shelton Matis (Hibernian), Pele (Southampton) and Bostjan Cesar (Marseille, loan).
However having failed to win promotion to the Premier League the Baggies subsequently lost key players with Jason Koumas (Wigan), Diomansy Kamara (Fulham), Paul McShane (Sunderland), Tomasz Kuszcak (Manchester United), Darren Carter (Preston NE), Paul Robinson (Wigan) and Steve Watson (Sheffield Wednesday) all leaving the Hawthorns.
Pele, who signed on Thursday from Southampton in a £1,000,000 deal is expected to make his debut whilst other new signings are expected to start.
Midfielder Robert Koren is out with an eye injury whilst new signing Shelton Martis is a doubt with an ankle injury.
Player to watch: Kevin Phillips
Next Fixtures:
14 August 2007: 7:45pm
Albion v AFC Bouremouth
League Cup Round One