In previous visits to Stamford Bridge Steve Clarke has set his side up very defensively with the aim of staying in the game as long as possible before switching to a more offensive plan. Only West Ham have drawn as many times on the road as West Bromwich Albion. In this fixture last season Ben Foster made several very good reaction saves to help restrict the hosts to a 1-0 victory. Along with regular attacking midfielder Zoltan Gera, the goalie is ruled out this time through injury. Right-back Billy Jones has a hamstring injury so winger Morgan Amalfitano may step back into that role - it forces the first change in Clarkes ever-present back four. The change may affect the balance of their usual attacking tactic of playing the ball wide to Amalfitano (or Saido Berahino) and Chris Brunt to put in crosses for Nicolas Anelka, Victor Anichebe or Shane Long to latch onto. Anichebe is reportedly available but former Blues winger Scott Sinclair is rated a doubt, as is Nicolas Anelka. Ominously, Anelka has epitomised the law of the ex by scoring regularly against former clubs Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Bolton. Long (pictured below), who may start on Saturday, opened the scoring with a header in Albions 2-1 win over the Blues at the Hawthorns last season. Amalfitano and Berahino were the goalscorers in the Throstles excellent win at Old Trafford earlier this season. West Brom Long Former Sunderland man Stephane Sessegnons ability to beat a man and find space in the final third often provides promising openings more centrally. However he has played five games for the Mackems against the Blues, losing every time. Jose Mourinho will weigh up his options at centre-back after the Champions League shutout, as well as in the centre of midfield, having selected John Mikel Obi alongside Ramires rather than Frank Lampard. One return to the Blues squad is Eden Hazard, omitted midweek. The Belgian will be keen to make amends this weekend if involved, especially after such strong performances from Andre Schurrle and Willian in the 3-0 win over the Germans. The Baggies are not strong around their own box and can be negligent when it comes to giving away free kicks in dangerous areas. Former Hull goalie Boaz Myhill is expected to have recovered from an Achilles problem and will have studied the behaviour of Chelseas new stealth weapon, Samuel Etoo. Timo Hildebrand followed Cardiffs David Marshall in learning of the Cameroonians cunning when it comes to goalkeepers. With Fernando Torres still sidelined Jose Mourinho has the luxury of choosing from the two-goal man or another Wednesday night scorer, Demba Ba. #Crosschase
Posted on: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 03:49:46 +0000
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