BPL Preview: West Bromwich Albion vs Chelsea

West Bromwich Albion will be looking forward to maintain the good run of form they’ve achieved under their new manager Roy Hodgson as they host the reigning Premier League champions Chelsea at the Hawthorns on Saturday. While West Brom have been undefeated in the past seven games, Chelsea have experienced devastating reverses lately, most recently the loss to Manchester United which put a full stop to their hopes of any silverware this season. In the league, the Blues have Manchester City breathing down their necks and want to distance themselves from City as much as they can.

Plenty at stake for both Chelsea and West Brom at the Hawthorns

West Bromwich Albion:

When former Baggies manager Roberto di Matteo got sacked, the fans and the media were furious and objected to the sacking. They believed that the Italian should’ve been given a second chance, considering his good record. But the instant Roy Hodgson moved to West Brom, the Baggies have come a long way from a team struggling to escape relegation to a side holding a strong 10th position in the Premier League table. The Midlands team continued to weave their magic last week as they beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light 3-2, which pretty much ensured them survival in the Premier League.

It's been all smiles for Roy Hodgson at West Brom

West Brom, being unbeaten in 7, with 3 wins of their last 4, are looking forward to ending this season on a high, despite the fact that they shall be playing their last 6 games against 4 top-ten teams. They haven’t embraced defeat at the Hawthorns in 9 games and ironically, they haven’t been lucky enough to beat the Blues either, with not a single point against Chelsea in the 9 times they’ve played against them in the Premier League.

The West Brom squad being devoid of injuries, is doubtful about Graham Dorrans while Pablo Ibanez is ruled out. Paul Scharner, Youssuf Mulumbu and Chris Brunt have formed a good alliance in the midfield and could be crucial in overcoming the Blues

Chelsea:

Chelsea FC were promised so much this season, had so many expectations and hopes, but unfortunately the 2010-11 season has turned into a damp squib for the Blues, especially because of their poor form over the holiday period. Their start was such a high-spirited, glorious one, scoring goals at free will and romping past their oppositions, while their immediate rivals were faltering. Now, with only the last few segments of the season to be played, they’re out of contention for any major trophy. Ancelotti led the team to two trophies in the previous term, but it looks like he has lost his charm this time.

In stark to his counterpart, Ancelotti stands on the brink of getting the sack at Chelsea

The Blues were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Newcastle United earlier this season, followed by getting dumped on penalties by Everton in the FA Cup and most recently, got beaten by their arch-rivals Manchester United at the Quarter finals of Champions League with a 3-1 aggregate scoreline.

The team has had their fair share of troubles, especially with 50 million pound signing Fernando Torres, who hasn’t opened his account for Chelsea even after playing 11 games. Shockingly, Ancelotti has kept faith in the Spaniard, time and again and favours him over Drogba, which has made owner Roman Abromovich put the manager’s career at stake. Chelsea still have a job to do though, with City and Spurs not too far behind them in the league table and with one game against the Spurs and another against the unbeatable United, a few slips could cost them a lot. As of now, their primary goal is to qualify safely for the Champions League next season, preferably in third spot, thus sealing automatic qualification. Hopefully, there should be a lot improvement at the Bridge over the summer.

Will there be a repeat of the 6-0 trouncing when Drogba and Malouda ran riot earlier this season?

With Drogba, who scored the solo goal in the Champions League by powering his way past the United defence after coming off the bench, the sitting duck named Torres who continues to be the apple of Ancelotti’s eye and David Luiz, who was ineligible to play the Champions League, manager Ancelotti expects a strong Chelsea outfit.

After the West Brom game, Chelsea will host Birmingham City in what will be the first of three straight home games, including one against relegation-threatened West Ham United.

Chelsea will be looking to bounce back strongly after the immense disappointment in midweek. However West Brom are equally confident to win this game. The two teams played the opening game in the Premier League this season at Stamford Bridge, where the Blues thumped the Baggies with a 6-0 edge, with Drogba scoring a hat-trick, Malouda making a contribution and Lampard adding another. All a Chelsea fan can do is, sigh and ponder about the good old days as the Baggies seek revenge!