Albion manager Tony Mowbray is predicting another Hawthorns cracker tomorrow after finding a kindred spirit in new Burnley boss Owen Coyle.

Coyle brings his Clarets side to face the Championship leaders after moving south of the border a year after Mowbray.

And the Baggies manager is relishing the chance to lock horns with the former St Johnstone boss.

“Owen’s St Johnstone team was an attractive team which achieved many things,” said Mowbray.

“They got to the semi-finals of the cup and for a first division side were a decent outfit.

“Owen preaches attacking football, he likes his players to pass it, play aggressive, attacking style and I have a lot of time for Owen Coyle.

“He’s a good lad, enthusiastic and played well into his 30s.

“You can tell from speaking to him that he loves his game and let’s hope he does well after this weekend because obviously we need to get back to winning ways.”

And Mowbray is warning his side to take nothing for granted as they seek to bounce back from Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Preston.

Albion are unbeaten at home in 2008 but eighth-place Burnley have won seven away matches already this season – a total beaten only by Watford’s nine.

“I’ve not seen that much of them but someone tells me they’ve got the second best away record in the division so they must be doing something right,” said Mowbray.

“They went through a spell just after he arrived when they won at Watford, won at Wolves and won convincingly so we have to be wary that they will be a threat.

“They’ve addressed their home form and have won the last three so they’re on a charge. We will need to be at our best and continue our own vein of form at home.

“We’ve done okay at home and need to continue that.”

Mowbray’s men have faced varied approaches from recent visitors to The Hawthorns from Scunthorpe’s damage-limitation policy to Cardiff’s all-out attacking approach.

And Mowbray expects the Clarets to arrive in a positive frame of mind.

“They have a good away record and they do come and play their own game,” said Mowbray.

“They’ve played a single striker up front recently with Ade Akinbiyi.

“They have added Andy Cole to their squad this week so whether he has an impact we shall see.

“But while we take note of their strengths and weaknesses we have to keep our own game going and play to our strengths then whatever they do we know we’ll give them problems.”

Albion will include new signings Michal Danek and Kim Do Heon in their squad, with the Czech goalkeeper more likely to make then final 16 than the South Korean playmaker.

And Burnley will arrive with a new signing of their own after they snapped up young midfielder Mark Randall on loan from Arsenal. 

The highly rated 18-year-old midfielder has joined the Clarets until the end of the season.

Coyle said: “I am delighted to bring such a good young talented player to the football club. He is a tremendous addition for us and I am sure he will go on to have an outstanding career.

“I hope we can play a big part in his development I am pretty sure he will provide some good competition in the midfield area,” he added. 

“Mark has been in and around the Arsenal first team and played against Blackburn Rovers in the Carling Cup quarter final.

“We have been watching him for a while and I would like to pass on my thanks to all at Arsenal FC, particularly Liam Brady.” 

Randall has already had a taste of first-team football with Arsenal, making two appearances this season.