West Brom v Chelsea Prediction and Football Tips – 23/08/15
Premier League – West Brom v Chelsea Prediction
This game is at the Hawthorns so West Brom may start with two up front and try to apply pressure to what is suddenly a suspect Chelsea defence. If this is the case, record signing Salomon Rondon may make his Premier league debut; partnering Spurs target, Saido Berahino. England goalkeeper, Ben Foster remains side-lined until October so Wales’ Boaz Myhill will continue in goal for the Baggies. West Brom may continue to employ non-specialist fullbacks in the cases of Chris Brunt and James Chester. Serge Gnabry, recruited from Arsenal is also available to make his Baggies’ debut, most likely starting on the right of midfield.
Thibaut Courtois and Pedro are slight doubts for Chelsea but seem likely to start, should Pedro make his Premier League bow expect him to occupy the right behind Diego Costa with Willian moving to the centre. Mourinho may have wanted to bring Pedro off the bench later in the match; however, Oscar is very unlikely to take part so this may force Mourinho’s hand. Kurt Zouma could partner skipper, John Terry in defence, adding more athleticism to the Chelsea backline. Branislav Ivanovic is expected to continue at right back despite a questionable start to the season, with Cesar Azpilicueta fighting off new competition at left back to start.
Possible Line-ups
West Brom: 4-4-2 Formation: Myhill; Chester, Dawson, Lescott, Brunt; Gnabry, Fletcher, Morrison, McManaman; Berahino, Rondon
Chelsea: 4-2-3-1 Formation: Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic, Pedro, Willian, Hazard; Costa
- West Brom have won 5, drawn 1 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches.
- Chelsea have won 3, drawn 3 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches.
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, West Brom have scored an average of 1.7 goals and conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game.
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Chelsea have scored an average of 1.2 goals and conceded an average of 1.5 goals per game.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 8 of West Brom’s previous 10 matches.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Chelsea’s previous 10 matches.
- West Brom won last season’s corresponding fixture, 3-0
West Brom have one point from their opening two league games. Questions continue to be raised about the future of Berahino, although the addition of Rondon indicates Pulis has the backing of West Brom’s higher ups. Operating with two up front at the Hawthorns will cause Chelsea problems, although whether they can outscore the champions remains a different question. James Chester and Chris Brunt may find Hazard, Pedro and a drifting Willian too much to handle.
Chelsea also have one point from their opening two games, they did sign Spanish international and multiple Champions League winner, Pedro in the week however. A 3-0 humiliation at the hands of Manchester City last week, will likely result in an angry set of men taking to the field against West Brom. Eden Hazard has yet to show why he is often compared to the likely of Ronaldo and Messi, a West Brom team hungry to secure a win, operating with two non-specialty fullbacks may be the opportunity to put his first stamp on the 2015/16 season.
Both teams want the win, goals are to be expected but surely Chelsea will get the win they crave. Being eight points from top is monumental after just three games; Jose Mourinho will not let that happen.