West Brom: James Morrison already handed Burnley boost with Jaidon Anthony twist

West Bromwich Albion's first home game of the 2026-2027 Championship season will be against Burnley.

The Baggies will be hoping to start as they mean to go on, and their first opponents at The Hawthorns have not had the best of preparations so far.

The Clarets are still in the hunt for a new manager, following the sacking of Scott Parker towards the end of last season.

It had looked like Craig Bellamy would be the man to take the reins in the dugout, but that deal fell through.

The B71 outfit will certainly be delighted that with just 49 days until kick-off time, Burnley's ducks are still not in order.

And now, the latest transfer news out of Turf Moor has further handed James Morrison reason for optimism.

Why Jaidon Anthony will not face West Brom in first home game

Jaidon Anthony is one of Burnley's most influential players, and facing him is no easy task for any defender.

Last season in the Premier League, Anthony secured eight goals and four assist for a side that was doomed for relegation throughout.

However, West Brom will seemingly no longer need to worry about that threat come 23 August.

As the referee blows his whistle for the first time at The Hawthorns in the 2026-27 season, Anthony will instead be playing in the Premier League.

According to Sky Sports News, Brentford have reached a deal with Burnley over the transfer of the winger.

The Burnley ace is set for a medical, with a deal expected to be concluded in the following days.

And The Hawthorns faithful will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief that Burnley are much weaker without the Englishman.

What is West Brom's recent record against Burnley?

With the departure of one of the Clarets' talisman, that could finally hand West Brom an edge in their hopes of three points.

In the last seven fixtures between the two, the Baggies have not won a single game.

In fact, the majority of the time, the Clarets and Midlands side have often been fairly matched.

Five of those seven fixtures have ended in the pair sharing the points.

In the all-time standings, it is the B71 outfit with the bragging rights, winning 56 of the 137 recorded matches against Burnley.

And with no Anthony around to terrorise Morrison's fullbacks, there will be confidence that record can be extended.