West Brom started the season quite well although in recent weeks they have really struggled. They are currently on a three game losing run and will be hoping that the international break has come at the right time to allow them to re-group. Chelsea are near the top of the Premier League which comes as no surprise, but they are already well behind Manchester City and need to go on a good winning run to try and make ground on them. Normally West Brom would be a difficult place to visit, but with the way they have been playing so far, Chelsea will fancy their chances of picking up three points in this game.
English Premier League – The Hawthorns – Saturday 18th November 2017 – 15:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 27/10 at Ladbrokes |
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West Brom Form
West Ham have fallen dramatically down the table and now find themselves in 16th place, with just 10 points. That puts them just one point ahead of the relegation zone and with many good teams down there who look set to improve, they are going to have to do the same otherwise they could be in trouble. They certainly have the squad to be better than what we have seen so far, and a case could be made for them being one of the best, if not the best team currently down there, so moving out of trouble does look possible.
To move away from the relegation zone one thing they are going to have to start doing is scoring more goals. They have just nine goals from 11 games and that form is relegation form, regardless of how good their defence is. The attacking options at West Brom are Jay Rodriguez, Hal Robson-Kanu and Salomon Rondon, which means they don’t have an elite striker, but those three should be capable of putting the ball in the back of the net more than they have done so far.
Chelsea Form
Chelsea have played very well so far this season, but that is still only good enough for 4th position in the Premier League, mainly because the two Manchester clubs have started so well. Despite coming into the season as title holders, they have been blown away by the power of Manchester City so far, and right now it looks a huge task for Chelsea to just keep up with City, never mind challenge them.
November was always going to be an important month for Chelsea with games against Manchester United and Liverpool. They have beaten United and with Liverpool just around the corner, they can’t take their eye of the ball when playing West Brom in the middle. They have to remain focused because despite West Brom struggling for form right now, they are a capable team who can put up a good performance at home, Chelsea need to be wary going into this game.
West Brom v Chelsea: Team News
Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata scored his first goal since September when he scored in the 1-0 victory over Manchester United before the international break and we need to see more of that from him. He was signed to replace the goals of Diego Costa, but so far he hasn’t really shown he is capable of doing that over the course of a full season. If Chelsea are to chase down either of the two Manchester clubs then they need an in form striker leading the way, and that has to be Morata.
The striking position is where West Brom are focusing their attention too, and they need to find someone who can put the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis. They have three strikers who are capable, without being stars, and they have to come together and start finding the net if West Brom are going to climb up the table.
Top Betting Tip: West Brom v Chelsea
Chelsea have the quality to go to West Brom and pick up a result but they need to approach the game with caution, and without thinking about their big clash with Liverpool next weekend. West Brom have struggled in recent weeks and we have to see more from them, otherwise a relegation battle could be on the horizon, and they are much better than that. Goal scoring has to start soon, and that is what will get them safe, so look towards their strikers who need to have good games here.
There is little value in the 90 minute market so I am going to back the correct score of 2-0 to Chelsea, which is priced up at 6/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral and offers goo value.