Chelsea vs. West Bromwich Albion preview, English Premier League
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 did not exactly get off to a flying start in the new Premier League campaign, with their opening game against Stoke City ending in a goalless draw. The trip to Britannia Stadium was frustrating since the Blues were denied two legitimate penalty claims and had to settle for just one point when their rivals Manchester Unite and Manchester City both collected three points.
Chelsea are under pressure to collect all three points today, in their first home game of the season as they prepare for West Brom’s visit. New Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas revealed he had studied the opposition during their clash against Manchester United last week and had prepared his side accordingly.
Villas-Boas said in an interview:
“It's a home game, it's a game where we expect to have the initiative, but we are happy enough that West Brom favours a football initiative and a football philosophy, and of playing short and quick in between them.”
Even though West Brom failed to collect any points against Manchester United, they performed surprisingly well. The Baggies, under manager Roy Hodgson, will be hoping to build on their form against Manchester United as they prepare for the trip to Stamford Bridge. The home of the Blues is considered to be their stronghold and defeating them at the Bridge will not be an easy task.
The last time West Brom visited Stamford Bridge they suffered a highly embarrassing 6-0 defeat, with Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba scoring a hat-trick. However, they have improved since then and will be focusing on their defence so as to not concede an embarrassing number of goals this time around. They did show an improvement against the Premier League champions and prepare for their second tough fixture.
Team News
Chelsea
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Didier-Drogba-c11044, will most likely start on the bench but could be brought in at some point in the game.
Villas-Boas will be forced to start with Ross Turnbull in goal, since first choice goalkeeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Czech-Republic-c2882 international returns.
After his terrific performance during pre-season and against Stoke City in the opening fixture, Fernando Torres is most likely set to start against West Brom. While the former Liverpool forward did not find the back of the net, he was brilliant throughout the game. The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 international could either start alongside Nicolas Anelka or Drogba.
Roy Hodgson revealed he expected great things from Torres, having managed the player at http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 for a short while during his reign at Anfield. The former Reds boss admitted the Blues had taken a risk by spending a record breaking fee to bring in Torres while he was not entirely at his best, but said he expected their blind trust to be paid off.
Hodgson said while speaking to reporters:
“I never doubted him as a person or player. It was bold of Chelsea to pay a big fee when the consensus was he wasn't at his best.”
West Bromwich Albion
West Brom will welcome back http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Peter-Odemwingie-c29794, the 30-year-old Nigerian striker, who missed the clash against Manchester United due to injury. Along with Odemwingie, the Baggies have a highly reliable new signing, Shane Long. The 24-year-old Irish striker was in top form against Manchester United and revealed he was looking forward to the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Long revealed:
“Personally, I am looking forward to playing against Chelsea.
Hopefully we can capitalise on the good performance we put in against Manchester United and take it into Stamford Bridge.”
Roy Hodgson has strengthened the back-line as well by signing goalkeeper Ben Foster on a season long move. With West Brom having had a terrible last season in terms of defence, Hodgson is working to do better this season. Jerome Thomas is out, the 28-year-old left-winger is not expected any time soon and West Brom will be forced to do without him.
Possible line-ups
Chelsea
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707.
West Bromwich Albion
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Somen-Tchoyi-c33772; Shane Long.
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