Premier League - West Bromwich Albion vs Chelsea

The Premier League's mid-week round of fixtures sees League-leaders Chelsea travel to relegation zone-lurking West Bromwich Albion in a fixture that has produced its share of drama in recent seasons. The Blues' last 2 visits to the Hawthorns have resulted in their manager being sacked following a pair of wins by the Baggies in consecutive seasons. And while it's safe to say the chance of a repeat of the former happening this time around is a virtual nonentity, both sides go into this match well aware of the history of recent meetings.









Case in point, the corresponding fixture last year was a calamity, for both the Blues and their manager. The home side took the lead after just 10 minutes through a Shane Long header past Petr Cech, but the visitors leveled things up just over 5 minutes from the halftime whistle. The Baggies retook their lead, however, just 5 minutes into the second half via another header from Peter Odemwingie, and ultimately condemned Chelsea to defeat in a game that would prove to be their Double-winning manager's last.










The reverse fixture in November was also a tough one for the Londoners. The Blues took the lead rather fortuitously on the stroke of halftime when Samuel Eto'o capitalised on some lax possession from Liam Ridgewell just a few yards out from the West Brom goal to put the Blues in front at the interval. A second half rally from the away side which saw Shane Long level things up on an hour and Stéphane Sessegnon double their advantage in the space of 8 minutes saw the Baggies ahead on the night, however, and looked headed to hand Chelsea a crushing defeat and a landmark first-ever for manager José Mourinho at Stamford Bridge, but a dubious going-to-ground from Ramires in the box with seemingly little contact at the absolute death 6 minutes into stoppage time saw referee André Marriner point to the spot. Eden Hazard stepped up, with the chance to salvage both a point for Chelsea and their manager's impeccable home record in the League, and slotted it into the back of the net seamlessly, sending Baggies keeper Boaz Myhill the wrong way, and handing the Blues a controversial draw.










The sides obtained differing results in the Matchday 25 fixtures 3 few days before. West Brom were thumped 3-1 by in-form Crystal Palace at Selhurt Park via strikes from Marouane Chamakh and a duo of goals from new signings and debutantes Tom Ince and Joe Ledley to see the Eagles' remarkable resurgence under Tony Pulis continue and condemn West Brom to another disappointing result, while Chelsea beat struggling Newcastle United 3-0 at Stamford Bridge courtesy of a hat-trick from on-fire Eden Hazard.










The sides are in starkly contrasting form at present. West Brom have won just 1 of their last 10 and remain winless in 4 games under new manager Pepe Mel, having sacked Chelsea legend Steve Clarke in December. The Baggies sit in the relegation zone alongside Cardiff and Fulham, and know that results will have to start coming soon or they'll find themselves back in the Championship for the first time since another Chelsea legend, Robbie Di Matteo, got them promoted from it in 2010.


Chelsea, likewise, are in flying form, winning 8 of their last 10 and losing none since their shock defeat to Stoke City over 2 months ago. A win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last Monday and a 3-0 spanking of Newcastle at the Bridge at the weekend have seen José Mourinho's men go top of the table, and they'll be looking to continue on that form with another 3 points from Tuesday's clash.










Injured for the home side are defender Jonas Olsson, whom José Mourinho infamously branded a 'mickey mouse player' after the sides' 2-2 draw the Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, as well as striking pair Stéphane Sessegnon and former-Blue Nicolas Anelka; while Chelsea will be made to wait in the fitness of captain John Terry, who missed the Blues' 3-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday with a supposed muscle strain.

Hope to see JT back, I imagine Ramires will start so we'll see something like:


Really not sure who will start up front.

Anyway, gotta win this game to keep our momentum going.

Ramires on the wing in a game like this? No chance. At the weekend maybe, but not this game

I only put him there as I think it's possible we'll see DL4 in midfield again. I prefer Ramires and Matic in the pivot though.

Even is he is (Luiz in MF), why would that push Willian out and Ramires in?

Because he was clearly rested Vs Newcastle?

Why would he take the place of Willian or even Schurrle in a game against a relegation contender? Where is the precedent for him playing so advanced in anything other than a big game we were looking to be compact in?

I don't know, I am just saying that Jose must be planning something since he was rested.

Maybe resting him just for the sake of giving him a rest? He has played most of our games this season, after all. Far more likely to see him playing there versus City this weekend.

I doubt Luiz will play vs WBA. Should start vs City though

WBA have lost their star player, this game should be simple

Chris Brunt left WBA?

Considering their form, we should win this one too.

John Terry still missing for Chelsea for West Brom trip, but Fernando Torres is back in contention:
The defender missed Saturday's win over Newcastle as a precaution and Jose Mourinho will again leave Terry out of the firing line at the Hawthorns
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelsea-team-news-john-terry-3131680

Meanwhile, Olsson, Sessegnon and Anelka are confirmed out for West Brom.

Kick wrote:

Chris Brunt left WBA?

You pos, if you read the op you'd know who im talking about

Lmao at that gif

tbh expect Arsenal or City to drop points in this matchday. Especially if we get a psychological advantage winning today. I heard that City won 1 of the last 5 games against Sunderland and United, well, I guess even them have to win sometimes

Finally changed your avatar

WEST BROM XI: Foster, Reid, McAuley, Dawson, Ridgewell, Yacob, Amalfitano, Morrison, Brunt, Thievy, Berahino

CHELSEA XI: Cech (c); Ivanovic, Cahill, D Luiz, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto’o

SUBS: Myhill, Mulumbu, Lugano, Dorrans, Gera, Anichebe, Vydra


SUBS: Schwarzer, Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Schurrle, Salah, Torres

Squad rotation

Oh god, we're wearing the black kits