Albion host Chelsea this Sunday afternoon at The Hawthorns, and I for one am worried about the backlash that Albion could face. So far both Albion and Chelsea have had very similar seasons. Both have been hammered 3-0 by Manchester City and both have drawn a game they should have won.
Albion head into this game low on confidence with problems both on and off the pitch. Star striker Saido Berahino is of reported interest for Tottenham, while on the pitch the team are yet to wake up after their summer holidays. Two games so far has seen Albion muster up a measly 2 shots on target both of those came in the opening game versus Manchester City. Chelsea won’t have bad form forever either which could see Albion face a backlash this weekend.
A positive Albion can take heading into this game is their brilliant recent record against Chelsea. Three wins, two draws and two defeats in the last seven is a very good record against a side like Chelsea for any club, never mind a team that has struggled the last few seasons. We got AVB sacked, we almost took Mourinho’s unbeaten home record off him and we hammed you 3-0 last season. Albion like to spring a surprise against Chelsea, but we will have to be on top form this weekend if it is to happen again.
The likes of new record signing Rondon will have to offer more up front than we’ve seen so far this season, but it’s in defence we need to get it right. With the likes of Hazard, Costa and maybe even Pedro playing, players like Lescott, Yacob and Chester will all need to bring their ‘A’ game. If anyone will cause Chelsea trouble I believe it will be new signing Rondon. Yet to make an impact, he could write the headlines on Sunday with a good performance and hopefully a couple of goals.
If I was forced to make a prediction my head would go with an easy Chelsea victory perhaps 3-0. My heart says an Albion draw. Recent performances against Chelsea should spur us on to get a result, but Chelsea will be out looking for revenge after their poor start.
Prediction – WBA 1 (Rondon) – Chelsea 3 (Hazard, Costa, Cahill)
