Chelsea v West Bromwich @ Stamford Bridge
Saturday November 20 @ 3.00pm
League leaders Chelsea return to Premier League action against mid-table West Bromwich Albion on Saturday looking to end their poor record against the Baggies.
Chelsea built up a four-point lead over second-placed Southampton before the international break, but have only won one of their past five encounters with West Brom, drawing two and losing two.
Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas both missed Spain’s friendly against Germany on Tuesday due to hamstring injuries, but are likely to be fit on Saturday.
That will be a huge relief for boss Jose Mourinho, with Costa scoring 13 goals in his last 11 games in all competitions and Fabregas proving himself a superb provider.
West Brom sit in 13th place in a congested mid-table after an inconsistent opening to the season.
Despite making big signings like Silvestre Varela and Sebastian Blanco over the summer, they have failed to make a big impact and the Baggies continue to rely on the ever faithful Chris Brunt, Graham Dorrans and James Morrison.
Last season’s encounter was a feisty one, with West Brom close to a famous victory only for Chelsea to equalise in injury time with a controversial penalty before a scuffle in the tunnel reportedly led to Mourinho calling Jonas Olsson a Mickey Mouse player at a Mickey Mouse club.
Star Man- Eden Hazard
Danger Man- Saido Berahino
Previous result – February 11, 2014, West Brom 1 (Anichebe 87) Chelsea 1 (Ivanovic 45)
Picture courtesy of brent flanders, with thanks
