Chelsea Express: Blues all set to face the 'New Reds'

Chelsea meet West Brom on Saturday with the visitors sporting some Rogue Rouge.

West Brom were forced to design a new third kit in haste because other home and away stripes clashed with Chelsea‘s ones.The Professional Game Match Officials (Yes,there’s one) had requested West Brom to wear red.

Chelsea v West Brom 10pm IST

Andre Villas Boas’s first home game sees him without first choice keeper Petr Cech, with Hilario set to deputise.

The dilemma with Drogba and Torres could see him starting both in the top three with Kalou dropping to the bench.Drogba scored an opening day hat-trick against West Brom last season,but has had chequered times recently with contract negotiations stalling.’The Drog’ also has scored 8 times in 7 games vs WBA. Daniel Sturridge and David Luiz will miss the game with the latter serving his 3-match ban.

Chelsea have won all 10 against West Brom,doing the double against them last season when assistant coach Roberto Di Matteo managed them.The visitors haven’t scored in their last six visits but will form a formidable front line with Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie.

6 points from WBA and Norwich a must – Villas-Boas

AVB has made winning the next two games at home imperative to their title challenge,hoping they could emulate the home run maintained by Jose Mourinho. He expressed his faith in Hilario and Turnbull as Cech faces a month out due to injury. He also praised Roy Hodgson’s philosophy claiming that he expects a good footballing encounter on Saturday.

Benayoun’s future in doubt

Yossi Benayoun has hinted that he may move this summer with Newcastle and a host of other clubs chasing his signature. The Jewish Chronicle broke the story claiming that a minor role isn’t what Benayoun hopes at this stage of his career. Benayoun has posted on his twitter account as “I hope there will be interesting news about my future later in the week.”

Torres's best yet to come according to Hodgson

Snippets

• AVB is desperate to get Slobodan Rajkovic’s permit approved after giving him his debut for Chelsea five years after signing in 2005.
• Former manager Roy Hodgson has put his money on Fernando Torres to find form after a difficult opening stint at Chelsea.
• Roman Abrahimovic has to make the decision on whether to improve Modric’s bid, with Tottenham sending mixed signals about him
• Radamel Falcao has completed his move to Athletico Madrid. Falcao played under Villas-Boas last season and was a transfer target.