Since their consecutive losses at the hands of Liverpool and Manchester City, West Bromwich Albion have had a pretty decent run. They have won 4 of their subsequent 4 games since then and are sitting at the 7th position in the league table, just one point behind Manchester United. Although they are far from comfortable, as Everton are breathing down their neck and any slip up now might take them four or five places down, given how tight the table is.
Considering their next opponents, a slip up is quite likely. The Baggies visit Stamford Bridge this Sunday to face a rejuvenated Chelsea side who are arguably the best team in the league at the moment. Albion’s away record isn’t that bad given how poorly they had started. They have collected 9 points from 7 away games and have the 9th best away record this season.
However, their record at Stamford Bridge paints quite a gloomy picture. Chelsea have not lost a single match in their last 10 league games at home against them. It also seems that the Blues are pretty comfortable scoring against Albion too, as they have done in each of their last 21 home league games.
But, as was evident against Middlesbrough, Chelsea could be stopped if defended well against and given Tony Pulis’ style of play, we might see a surprise on Sunday.
Defence
Ben Foster will definitely start under the bar and will be looking to keep impressing. Craig Dawson will keep his place in the right-back position. Pulis is likely to stick to the centre-back pairing of Gareth McAuley and Jonny Evans.
Evans opened the scoring against Watford and Pulis would like a similar display from his experienced centre-back against Chelsea. Allan Nyom is likely to keep his place in the left-back position.
Midfield
After his assuring performance against Watford, Pulis will start with Darren Fletcher in the midfield. However, Pulis is unlikely to pose an attacking lineup against Chelsea, who were deadly on the counter against Tottenham and Manchester City lately. We expect Argentine combative midfielder Claudio Yacob to partner with Fletcher in the defensive midfield role this time.
Nacer Chadli started on the bench last time and is expected to start against Chelsea. Pulis would want his genius up front with Chris Brunt and Matt Philips on the flanks. Brunt’s goal more or less killed off the game against Watford and the winger comes to the match high on confidence.
Attack
The reliable Jose Salomon Rondon will start as the striker. His form has been pretty impressive so far; he’s scored 4 and assisted 2. Berahino just might get playing time in the later half as he is back in training.
