West Brom vs. Chelsea: Team News, Predicted Line-Ups, Live Stream and TV Info
We may have been gripped by some battles at both ends of the Premier League table this weekend, but when Chelsea travel to West Bromwich on Monday night, we can expect something far less significant for both sets of fans.
Jose Mourinho's Blues are already champions, while West Brom are mathematically safe from relegation, meaning it's nothing but pride on the line at the Hawthorns.
Given their form against the Baggies while on their travels, Chelsea are probably glad to have the title wrapped up ahead of this one.
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Sure, it's been different teams and managers in the past, but Chelsea haven't won at the Hawthorns in their last three attempts.
We have to go back to April 2011 when Carlo Ancelotti was manager for when Chelsea last picked up three points in the Baggies' back yard.
Since then they have drawn and lost twice—the first of those defeats spelling the end for Andre Villas-Boas as Chelsea manager in March 2012.
Defeat that day brought to an end much more than a managerial reign, too. Chelsea were unbeaten against West Brom in the Premier League era, with their winning streak against the Baggies taking in 13 games.
It stretched back to 1993 when Chelsea beat West Brom in a League Cup replay at Stamford Bridge.
In terms of defeat, the unbeaten run stretched back 1984.
None of that matters now, though. It's all history, and this match-up will give Tony Pulis and Mourinho a chance to test a few things as they plan for the future in 2015/16.
The pressure is off, and that means we're set to see more of Chelsea's talented youngsters play, while Pulis will continue to instill his philosophy that has helped the Baggies steer clear of relegation.
Expect a pre pre-season game.
Date: Monday, May 18
Time: 8 p.m. BST/3 p.m. ET
Venue: The Hawthorns, Birmingham
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK only)/NBCSN (U.S. only)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK only)/NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)
Team news
Other than goalkeeper Ben Foster being sidelined for the foreseeable future with a knee injury, West Brom have a full squad to pick from.
James Morrison should find himself involved once more after he could only make the bench against Newcastle United last weekend as he continued his recovery from a back injury.
As for the champions, Izzy Brown is set to make his debut, but it remains unclear whether he will start the game or come on as a substitute.
Diego Costa has been out for six weeks with a hamstring injury, but Mourinho has hinted he could play a part against the Baggies.
Loic Remy led the line against Liverpool last week, and we can expect the same here.
Last five games
| April 11 | West Brom 2-3 Leicester City |
| April 18 | Crystal Palace 0-2 West Brom |
| April 25 | West Brom 0-0 Liverpool |
| May 2 | Manchester United 0-1 West Brom |
| May 9 | Newcastle United 1-1 West Brom |
| April 18 | Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United |
| April 26 | Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea |
| April 29 | Leicester City 1-3 Chelsea |
| May 3 | Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace |
| May 10 | Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool |
Players to watch
Saido Berahino
West Brom's 21-year-old striker has a point to prove before the season is out.
Saido Berahino has often been spoken of as a player with his eyes on bigger things, so coming up against the champions gives him the perfect opportunity to show he has the substance to back up the hype.
He hasn't scored since early March and has just six goals in the Premier League since October. He's been far from prolific, and with the summer drawing closer, he'll want to remind the scouts that he has something to offer.
Izzy Brown
Last week it was Ruben Loftus-Cheek making his Chelsea debut, and now Izzy Brown will get his chance to impress.
Coincidentally, Brown's Chelsea debut will come against the club he left to join the Blues, arriving at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2013.
Just weeks before that Brown had made his Premier League debut for West Brom against Wigan Athletic.
In the time since he has built quite the reputation. Brown has been a stand-out performer for Chelsea's youth teams, and now that Mourinho is giving him his chance, he'll want to show he has what it takes to make it as a Chelsea regular.
These are exciting times for Chelsea's youngsters.
Prediction
West Brom 1-1 Chelsea
Odds
Home win: 16/5
Away win: Evens
Draw: 5/2
First goalscorer: Cesc Fabregas 12/1
*Odds via Oddschecker
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
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