English Premier
2010-08-14 - Chelsea vs WBA
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football: England: Premier League 2010/2011
Saturday, 14th August 2010 - Kickoff 17:30
Chelsea
Last 5 Chelsea games at Home : W5-D0-L0 F27-A2 (2009/10)
Double winners Chelsea begin their defence of their Premiership crown with a favourable fixture against nearly promoted West Brom in the Saturday evening kick-off at Stamford Bridge.
Ancelotti's side would normally enter this kind of fixture high on confidence with improving their goal difference the main objective. However, this time around I feel there’s going to be a lot of nerves in the Chelsea dressing room as the side is way out of form currently riding a 4 game losing streak.
Of course all 4 games are non competitive pre season games but considering Chelsea were undefeated in last season’s pre season which included wins over both Milan clubs, losing all 3 games in their German tour whilst being outclassed by United in the Charity Shield is hardly the ideal preparation.
The main problem for Chelsea has been the lack of fitness from the World Cup stars that only returned to training in late July and as a result are still a few weeks away from full fitness according to Ray Wilkins following the defeat to United on Sunday.
Another problem which isn’t necessarily linked directly to the friendly defeats is that Chelsea has lost 4 midfielders this summer (J Cole, Ballack, Belletti & Deco) and only two players have come in Ramires (who for the record should be eligible to play on Saturday) and Benayoun but this still leaves two players not replaced.
I say not replaced because Ancelotti is keeping faith with the youth team and promotions have been issued to Kakuta and Borini who are pushing for starts eventually in this team. However, I can't see either starting any time soon and thus a place on the bench is the best they can hope for but given the lack of experience it’s hard to see how they going to make an impact from the bench which is where the likes of Deco could of changed the game.
Against the Baggies important keeper Cech should return and given Chelsea suffered 3 keeper errors in pre season between Hilario and Turnbull his return is very much welcome. At the back I expect Carlo to keep faith with the back 4 that started against United with Carvalho failing to replace Ivanovic in the centre.
In the midfield is where we are likely to see changes, Ramires is poised to replace Mikel with Essien slotting into the defensive midfielder role and Ramires joining Lampard spearheading the midfield. We should also expect Kalou to make way for Drogba as the Ivorian started Sunday’s game on the bench.
This is very close to a full strength Chelsea side and given that as each day passes the side is getting fitter and stronger this in theory should be the ideal opponent. But we can not forget that this side has lost 4 straight and if an early goal doesn’t come this could get a bit edgy and nervy for the Blues.
Predicted Chelsea Lineup :
Cech, Cole, Ivanovic, Terry, Ferreria, Essien, Lampard, Ramires, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba
West Bromwich Albion
Last 5 West Brom games Away : None - previous year in Championship
On Saturday evening a Chelsea legend returns to the Bridge hoping claim a shock result that will give recently promoted WBA the perfect start as they bid to stop this yo-yo trend of there’s that sees them go up and down year every other year.
The Chelsea legend in question is Roberto Di Matteo, the WBA boss who has fond memories of Stamford Bridge and still has close connections to his former club. However, on Saturday it’s strictly business and his very attacking WBA side are going to have to survive for long spells without the ball as they bid to hold off what is sure to be a Chelsea onslaught throughout the game.
In the Championship Albion were one of the keep ball sides and simply passed teams to death. Against Chelsea as is always the problem when the opposition is of a world class calibre is that can WBA keep chasing the ball for long spells in the game and then cope with the pressure when they eventually win it back. The fear is over the course of 90 minutes Chelsea will/should create a few good chances and at this level that may just be all they need.
Di Matteo has signed 4 new players to his side that finished 2nd in the Championship last term. In come Tamas (Auxerre- although spent last season on loan at WBA), Myhill (Hull), Reid (Blackburn- also was on loan at WBA last term), Shorey (Villa) and Ibanez (Athletico Madrid), of which all of them apart from Myhill should be in the starting 11 this Saturday. All the signings are positive steps for this club and all have a part to play over the season and with Tamas and Reid having successful loan spells here last term settling in won’t be a problem at all.
Team news is that key playmaker Dorrans is a doubt with a groin injury as is Cech, other players with knocks are new signing Tamas and Ibanez with hamstring and knee injuries respectively. Early reports suggest all are 50-50 and officially rated doubtful, but I believe (from a WBA souce) that all of them will be fit apart from Cech who appears to be struggling a little more than the others, please check team news nearer the time for confirmation. Assuming the above we should see a lineup looking like:
Predicted West Brom Lineup :
Carson, Shorey, Ibanez, Tamas, Jara, Reid, Mulumbu, Brunt, Dorrans, Morrison, Bednar.
The betting Verdict
Confidence isn't high in the Chelsea camp right now with most of the side not match fit.
However, come game day I believe the Blues should have enough to get past a spirited WBA side - although the midlands club should cover the AH given how rusty Chelsea look in pre-season.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Chelsea 2-1 West Brom
