Former Chelsea playmaker Oscar eyeing European return after end of contract
Chelsea will look to carry on their current renewal when they host West Bromwich Albion at their home Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Guus Hiddink’s side remain down in 14th place in the Premier League table, but would leapfrog their opponents who are 2 places and three points ahead of them, and could move to within three points of the top half with a midweek win.
Chelsea are ready to kick-start their season freshly as they are unbowed under their new manager Guss Hiddink. West Brom, on the other hand, enforced a replay with a stoppage time equalizer in the FA Cup and will try to regain the composure against defending champions.
The Pensioners won the reverse fixture 3-2 last August where Pedro starred on his debut as he scored his first Chelsea goal and also had an assist to his name. Morrison missed the chance to put the home side in front when he squandered a penalty and then Pedro and Costa put Chelsea 2-0 up, then Morrison pulled one back before another Chelsea goal from Azpilicueta made in 3-1 at half time. Morrison pulled another goal back in the second half, but a game which ended 3-2 really should have finished 3-3.
Hiddink looks like is restoring confidence to his players while getting his team to do the simple things right, something his predecessor had lost the ability to do. He may have got off to a relatively slow start, but Hiddink now appears to be having the desired effect at Chelsea following the departure of Jose Mourinho.
The Dutchman remains unbeaten in his second stint and including their victory over Sunderland under Steve Holland it is now five games without defeat for the Blues – their longest run of the season. Although it’s very early to say but the Dutchman appears to be getting the best out of Diego Costa and that is going to be key to Chelsea’s chances of making into European football next season.
Both teams have some first team players missing ahead of this midweek clash, Chelsea look to be without Cahill, Falcao and Hazard while the visitors could be missing Anichebe, Olsson and Foster.
The midfield trio of Willian, Oscar and Pedro should be enough to get through this game for the Blues though. Pedro scored on his debut against the Baggies in August, so hopefully he can get back to scoring ways here. On top of that, Rueben Loftus-Cheek was on target against Scunthorpe, and he could be pushing for a starting berth, given how impressed Hiddink was with the youngster’s contribution.
Either way, they’ll likely need an attacking edge in midfield, with Diego Costa set to miss out. He came off against Scunthorpe, and he’s not expected to be back in time for this midweek clash. Loic Remy should step in up front, giving the forward a deserved chance under the new manager.
Tony Pulis takes his West Brom side to Stamford Bridge with injury concerns regarding striker Victor Anichebe and defender Jonas Olsson. Goalkeeper Ben Foster made his first appearance of the campaign in the FA Cup at the weekend and if fit, should retain his position in the starting XI. Berahino will be hoping for a rare start, but he faces competition from Salomon Rondon, who is back available after suspension.
Chelsea now have the opportunity to win back-to-back league games for the first time this season, and such rare consistency would come just in time for meetings with Everton, Arsenal, Watford and Manchester United in their next four league games.
The Blues have only won one home game against a side currently above them in the table all season, however, and that came against a nine-man Arsenal side back in September. Their Stamford Bridge record is improving, though, with three wins and no defeats in their last four home outings in all competitions.
Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Mikel, Willian, Loftus-Cheek, Pedro; Remy
West Brom: Myhill; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Brunt; Fletcher, Yacob, Sessegnon, Morrison, McClean; Lambert
Stats via BBC
A 2-1 win for the home side.
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