Chelsea vs West Bromwich Albion. Premier League.
Stamford BridgeAttendance41,622.
Sunday 11 December 2016 10:52, UK
Nemanja Matic has beaten a calf problem to be fit for Chelsea's Premier League clash with West Brom at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The Serbian could return for a Chelsea side who currently sit top of the table after winning their last eight league games.
However, Chelsea come up against an in-form West Brom, with Tony Pulis' side unbeaten in their last four league games, winning three and drawing one.
The Baggies have drawn at Stamford Bridge in two of the last three seasons in the league - though they have not won a league at Chelsea since September 1978 (D3 L10).
Team news
John Terry remains sidelined with a gluteal strain, but Matic and Cesc Fabregas will battle it out for a start in midfield.
Meanwhile, James Morrison and Gareth McAuley are doubts for West Brom's trip to Chelsea.
The pair have not trained this week as they are suffering with what boss Tony Pulis described as knocks and will be assessed ahead of the game.
Saido Berahino continues to train with the squad but is unlikely to feature as he regains fitness having not played since September with the club having already sent him to France for a personal fitness camp.
Opta stats
Chelsea are unbeaten in 10 previous Premier League games at Stamford Bridge against the Baggies, but have drawn against them in two of the last three seasons (W8 D2).
The Blues have scored in each of their last 21 home league games against West Brom, last failing to find the net against them in December 1967.
Cesar Azpilicueta scored in both games against West Brom last season, scoring the opener in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea's third in a 3-2 win at the Hawthorns.
Pulis has only lost one of his last four Premier League games against Chelsea (W2 D1), this after losing nine of his first 11 Premier League games against the Blues (D2).
Chelsea have come from behind to win their last two Premier League games - only four clubs have ever done this in three consecutive games (Leeds in 1997-98, Newcastle in 2001-02, Man Utd in 2002-03 and Arsenal with four in 2011-12).
Eden Hazard's next Premier League goal will be his 50th - if he scores in this game, he'll have reached this landmark in 153 apps and will be the joint-third quickest to score 50 PL goals for Chelsea alongside Eidur Gudjohnsen. Only Didier Drogba (106 apps) and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (84 apps) have done it quicker for the Blues.
Since the start of 2013-14, Diego Costa has scored 70 goals in 103 league appearances (Premier League and La Liga combined).
Chelsea have made only eight changes to their starting XI in the Premier League overall this season; a league-low. After 14 games last season under Jose Mourinho, they'd made 35.
West Bromwich Albion have won 20 points from their 14 matches so far this season; their second best tally at this stage of a Premier League season, after 2012-13 (26 points).
Mike Dean has awarded the most penalties (nine) and given the most red cards (three) of all the Premier League referees so far this season.
Merson's prediction
West Brom have done brilliantly so far, but it's a big ask at Stamford Bridge. They will keep it tight, make it difficult and wait for set-pieces.
Who could have seen them being a point behind Manchester United in early December? What an achievement.
As for Chelsea, they have some very winnable games over Christmas and if they keep this run going, they could be hard to catch.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)
Betting
Chelsea are just 2/7 with Sky Bet to extend their winning run as West Brom go up against odds of 9/1 for the victory and 9/2 just to secure a point. Antonio Conte's men were installed as 11/10 favourites to win the Premier League on the back of last weekend's victory over Manchester City, who drifted out to 100/30.
Diego Costa heads the first goalscorer betting at 11/4 followed by Eden Hazard (7/2), while Salomon Rondon is four times the price of the favourite at 11/1 to net first.
Jamie Redknapp and the Soccer Saturday pundits have provided their tips for the match - click here to see what they're backing.
