A little over a year ago West Bromwich Albion came within a minute of doing what no Baggies side had done for 35 years: Beat Chelsea in the league at Stamford Bridge. A contentious injury time penalty awarded to the Blues and coolly converted by Eden Hazard sparked nationwide debate for a fortnight kept Jose Mourinhos unbeaten home record intact for a few months more. It also left a dismayed Albion side wondering how much longer they would have to wait to beat Chelsea at their West London home. They have the opportunity to put 35 years behind them when the sides meet this Saturday at 3PM. With International breaks now out of the way until February, both sides will be looking to build some kind of consistency through the Christmas period. For Chelsea this would mean picking up from where they left off - an impressive 1-2 win away at Anfield a fortnight ago. For Alan Irvine consistency has been hard to find, however. An eye-catching display at home to Manchester United and a 1-0 win away at Spurs is coupled in with a loss to Newcastle and draw with Crystal Palace in the Baggies last 7 games and is testament to this statement. The Opposition Since his appointment in the Summer, Alan Irvine has slowly begun to answer his critics. Despite being winless in Irvines first 4 games in charge, the Midland side now stand 13th in the table. Baggies fans have English prodigy Saido Berahino to thank in part for their solid but unspectacular standing. The Burundi- born striker has netted some important goals at the Hawthorns so far this term, including a brace against Sunderland on the opening day and an injury-time equaliser at home to Crystal Palace. Summer signing Craig Gardner has added a tireless workrate to Albions midfield and Giorgos Samaras and Joleon Lescott come to the club with substantial Premier League experience although record signing Brown Ideye has so far failed to live up to his billing. West Broms inconsistency could be put down to the varied tactical approach of Alan Irvine. 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 approaches have, among others, returned varied results. It has been with a 4-5-1 formation that Albion have enjoyed most success this year and a fifth man in midfield could prove the difference at Stamford Bridge come Saturday. Andre Wisdom and new signing Sebastien Pocognoli are attacking-minded full backs and like to get forward where possible and Graham Dorrans poses a threat from midfield. Craig Gardner will be expected to do the dirty work in the heart of the Baggies side. Stephane Sessegnon, who scored in the corresponding fixture last year can be expected to play a little behind Saido Berahino, who will spearhead Albions attack with his blistering pace. Team News Chelsea The leagues early pace setters have a near fully fit squad at their disposal including a fully-rested Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa. Likely line up (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa West Brom Jonas Olsson and Sebastien Pocognoli are expected to miss the Stamford Bridge clash through injury. Likely line up (4-5-1): Foster; Gamboa, Lescott, Dawson, Wisdom; Dorrans, Gardner, Morrison, Sessegnon, Brunt; Berahino Statistics Didier Drogba has scored 8 times in 7 starts against West Brom Chelsea are the only side in the top 4 professional divisions of English football to remain unbeaten this season 33% of Chelseas goals in the league have come in the last 20 minutes of the match Last seasons meeting at Stamford Bridge was the first time Chelsea had failed to take all 3 points from the fixture since 1988 Saturday will be our 132nd meeting with West Bromwich Albion. Our all-time record stands at P 131 - W 56, D 34, L 41. Odds: Courtesy of SkyBet Chelsea win: 2/9 West Brom win: 12/1 Draw: 5/1 TV Coverage: UK: Highlights Match of the Day 22:20 USA: NBC Sports Live Extra, NBCSN, Mun2 Belgium: Sporting 1, Be Sport 1 Middle East: beIN Sports Arabia Others see here: livesocce...romwich- albion/
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 13:33:34 +0000