Prediction: Chelsea vs West Brom

Verdict: Chelsea win by 2+ goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

With a golden chance to extend their stay in the top-four this weekend, Chelsea will welcome West Brom to an empty Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime.

Chelsea

Starting with the hosts, after electing to turn to new boss Thomas Tuchel back in January, Chelsea have really managed to find their feet under the former PSG coach. Last seen when heading into the international break after landing a 2-0 win against Sheffield United while on FA Cup duties, there is no doubt that the mood around West London should be at a real high. Skyrocketing their way back into the top-four, The Blues also laid down a real marker when extending on their Champions League adventure last month. Shocking many across Europe as they cruised their way to a thumping 4-0 aggregate win against Spanish leaders Atletico Madrid, Tuchel’s side are yet to taste defeat across any format during his 14 matches in the charge. Smelling what is a golden chance on home soil this weekend, Tuchel should also be boosted by Chelsea’s remarkable rise at the back. In fact, since their German boss took charge in the capital, Southampton loanee Takumi Minamino is the only opposition player to score against them.

Team News

Despite missing the international break due to a dental procedure, Edouard Mendy should line-up between the sticks this weekend.

However, while Thiago Silva is inching closer to a return, the likes of N’Golo Kante (thigh), Callum Hudson-Odoi (shoulder) and Jorginho (knee) are injury doubts. Tammy Abraham is also likely to miss out due to an extended ankle issue.

West Brom

As for the visitors, while Chelsea might have found a real boost after turning to a new Head Coach earlier in the year, the same cannot be said for West Brom. Almost freefalling towards an immediate Championship return and drastically struggling to find their feet under Sam Allardyce, The Baggies already find themselves sat 10 points adrift of safety. Last seen heading into March’s international break with a 1-0 defeat away at Crystal Palace, the one-time England boss has seen his squad land just a single Premier League win in their last 11 attempts, a run that stems back to January 16th. Facing what is an overwhelming test at Stamford Bridge when they return to action this weekend, fans around the Midlands will have a real headache over their side’s continued issues in the final third. Failing to find the net in their last three top-flight contests on the spin, it should also be noted that Saturday’s guests have found the net just once in over 500 minutes of action.

Team News

West Brom loanee Conor Gallagher is ineligible to face his parent club.

Hal Robson-Kanu will be in the squad despite being sent home from Wales duty for a breach of coronavirus protocols.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off back in September, Frank Lampard’s Chelsea came from 3-0 down to snatch a point off of Slaven Bilić’s West Brom side.
• Since Thomas Tuchel took charge at Stamford Bridge back in January, the former Premier League champions are yet to taste a single defeat across any format.
• Likewise, Chelsea have seen just a single opposition player breach their defence since the former PSG boss took charge.
• West Brom have managed to win just one of their last 11 Premier League matchups.
• Along with failing to find the net in their last three contests, The Baggies have found the net just once in over 500 minutes of action.

Conclusion

While Frank Lampard’s Chelsea might have had to come from 3-0 down to snatch a point in the Midlands back in September, The Blues should be smelling a golden chance on home soil. Continuing on what has been a real purple patch since bringing in new boss Thomas Tuchel, the former champions have also gained plenty of plaudits for their new-found resolve at the back. With Southampton loanee Takumi Minamino still the only opposition player to score against them during Tuchel’s reign, a struggling West Brom face another overwhelming test in the capital. Freefalling towards an immediate Championship return and only showing a host of issues in front of goal, it is hard to see anything other than a routine home victory for the Premier League high-flyers this weekend

Verdict: Chelsea win by 2+ goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet