West Bromwich Albion returns to Premier League action after the international break. The Baggies have endured three successive defeats with the latest one coming a fortnight ago in the 1-0 at Huddersfield Town. West Bromwich Albion will not be any lucky in the Saturday evening's match given that they're hosting the reigning champions, Chelsea at the Hawthorns. A defeat at the hands of the Londoners will surely take the Baggies to the relegation zone should other teams placed at the bottom of the league record victories.

Chelsea secured a crucial 1-0 win over Manchester United two weeks ago- a game that ensured that the Blues kept their fourth spot in the league standings.

The West Londoners are now among the chasing pack consisting of two teams namely Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspurs and Chelsea themselves. The Blue trails the league leaders, Manchester City by a massive nine points. A win will ensure that the Blues climb to the second position should Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspurs fail to win their matches.

Talking Points

  • West Bromwich Albion has gone ten games in all competitions without recording any win. The last Premier League victory that the Baggies earned came in August in the 1-0 success over Burnley at Turm Moor.
  • West Bromwich Albion has lost all the last three Premier League with the Baggies losing by a narrow scoreline of 1-0. However, the Baggies have gone winless in nine Premier League matches.
  • Chelsea has won six of their last seven Premier League. In fact, the Blues have been drawing at half-time and winning at full-time in the last three Premier League matches.
  • Chelsea has been the dominant side in the previous encounters that have featured the two team. The Blues have won three out of four Premier League contests while the remaining match ending in a stalemate. Two of Chelsea's victories in the previous meetings have come when the Blues are playing away from home.
  • It was the corresponding fixture of this game that Chelsea won to secure the Premier League title last season. Michy Batshuayi scored the crucial one goal to help Chelsea recapture the crown that they had lost to Leicester City two seasons ago.

Team news

Nacer Chaldi, James Morrison, and Craig Dawson are automatic absentees for the welcoming of the English champions.

However, James Morrison looks close to making it in the Baggies' team following his return to training during the international break, but Craig Dawson will wait until after Christmass to return to action. It's difficult to speculate the return of Nacer Chadli wore tore his muscle during a training session. Also, Oliver Burke who was part of the England U23 in the international break could miss the contest that's pivotal for Tony Pulis' survival due to unfitness.

The game comes too soon for Michy Batshuayi and Victor Moses due to various injuries they sustained in past matches. Tiemoue Bakayoko, Eden Hazard, and David Luiz are doubtful to take part in the proceedings at Hawthorn Stadium due to various forms of slight injuries, but the trio could recover on time to face off with West Bromwich Albion. Other than the five cases, Antonio Conte has the rest of his team ready to make his selection.

Full-time prediction: West Bromwich Albion 1-3 Chelsea.
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