Chelsea vs. West Brom: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
It's back to Premier League action for Chelsea on Wednesday after they made light work of Scunthorpe United in the FA Cup.
They entertain West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge in what is a big game in their ongoing recovery.
A big talking point from their Scunthorpe win was the performance of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who scored his first Chelsea goal to make sure of Sunday's 2-0 victory.
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The 19-year-old only played 45 minutes as a second-half substitute, but he made a big impact with his display.
Guus Hiddink has hinted that Loftus-Cheek may well play more regularly between now and the end of the season.
"We have a lot of games to go and I was happy with his performance [on Sunday]," Hiddink said in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
"The first day I came in I had not seen the statistics of when the players were born and I thought he was 22 or 23. He is a big guy, but he is 19 which means he still has a lot to learn and to get his experience, but whenever it is possible he will get his minutes."
Given that Chelsea face Everton on Saturday and have injury concerns over Oscar and Nemanja Matic, the visit of West Brom could be a good chance for Loftus-Cheek to feature.
On the back of that Scunthorpe game, his confidence will be brimming. Coupled with the fact Chelsea need a victory to leapfrog the Baggies in the table, Hiddink doesn't want to be risking unfit players either.
Chelsea's form has spiked in recent weeks, but despite the turnaround, they have only won two of their last four Premier League matches—drawing twice over Christmas with Watford and Manchester United.
Three points on Wednesday are vital, especially as the Blues could move up to 12th in the table if results go their way.
Should Everton lose to Manchester City on Wednesday, too, it will mean Chelsea could move to within just a point of Roberto Martinez's side, who they face at home at the weekend.
Chelsea are beginning to hint at reining in those teams above them, so they can't lose momentum against West Brom.
Match details
Date: Wednesday, January 13
Time: 7.45 p.m. GMT/2.45 p.m. ET
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
TV Info: Match of the Day highlights (BBC1, 10.45pm. UK only) /NBC Sports (U.S. only)
Live Stream: No UK live stream/NBCSN (U.S. only)
Last 5 Games
| Dec. 19 | Chelsea 3-1 Sunderland |
| Dec. 26 | Chelsea 2-2 Watford |
| Dec. 28 | Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea |
| Jan. 3 | Crystal Palace 0-3 Chelsea |
| Jan. 10 | Chelsea 2-0 Scunthorpe United |
| Dec. 19 | West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Bournemouth |
| Dec. 26 | Swansea City 1-0 West Bromwich Albion |
| Dec. 28 | West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Newcastle United |
| Jan. 2 | West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Stoke City |
| Jan. 9 | West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Bristol City |
Predicted Lineups
Loic Remy is back fit for Chelsea which means the Blues' striking options have doubled, but we're expecting him to remain on the bench on Wednesday.
"Remy is joining the group," Blues boss Hiddink said on Tuesday. "He’d been training individually but in the last two days he practiced with us."
Radamel Falcao and Eden Hazard remain on the treatment table, though. There are also doubts over Oscar (toe) and Matic (head).
As for West Brom, Victor Anichebe and Jonas Olsson are slight doubts.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Loftus-Cheek; Willian, Fabregas, Pedro; Diego Costa.
West Bromwich Albion (4-2-3-1): Myhill; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Brunt; Fletcher, Yacob; Sessegnon, Morrison, Gardner; Rondon.
Key Players
Diego Costa
He's back scoring goals and shock, horror, Chelsea are winning matches again.
If Diego Costa continues his recent good form against West Brom, Chelsea should continue the mini-revival that we've witnessed since Jose Mourinho's departure.
Costa has been key to that. He's back running the channels and getting himself in the right positions to score goals. That alone has given Chelsea more presence in attack.
When he was out suspended against Manchester United over Christmas, Chelsea's attack appeared limp and threatened little. With him against Crystal Palace a week later, the Blues were strong and dominant as a result.
Had Costa played like this for much of the season, Chelsea wouldn't be lingering in the bottom half of the table, that's for sure.
Darren Fletcher
Chelsea aren't used to looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone; Darren Fletcher even less so.
The West Brom captain spent his entire career at Manchester United before he joined the Baggies last January.
While at Old Trafford, Fletcher won four Premier League titles and also the Champions League against Chelsea in 2008.
He's the leader in this team—and not because he wears the armband. He plays with authority and we've seen West Brom's victories this season have come when he's been dominant in the middle.
Fletcher's no stranger to the big occasion and won't be worried about playing at Stamford Bridge.
If he has a good game, West Brom can take something away from west London.
Prediction
Chelsea 3-0 West Bromwich Albion
Odds
Home Win: 33/100
Away Win: 8/1
Draw: 387/100
First Goalscorer: Willian (7/1)
Odds via Odds Shark and Oddschecker.
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes.
