Chelsea vs West Brom – ruthless holders to lay down marker
Published:As 1/7 favourites to win their Premier League opener against West Brom, title holders Chelsea will be looking to fire a warning shot to their rivals at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s preparations had been disrupted by numerous injury concerns, but centre-back Alex and goalkeeper Petr Cech are expected to be passed fit to play.
Even if a couple of first-team players do miss the match, however, Chelsea should still steamroller their newly promoted opponents.
Chelsea have won their last 12 encounters with West Brom, scoring 30 goals and conceding just three in doing so.
The Blues have won three of their last ten fixtures against the Baggies with a scoreline of 3-0, and a repeat victory is priced at 6/1.
The last Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge saw Chelsea capture the title with an 8-0 hammering of Wigan. A win of the same margin against West Brom is 66/1.
West Brom have not beaten Chelsea since 1979, and their faint hopes of claiming three points at Stamford Bridge are reflected by their price of 18/1 to win.
Last season’s goal tally of 22 was Frank Lampard’s highest ever, and the Chelsea stalwart is 7/2 to notch his first strike of this term by opening the scoring against West Brom.
Lampard scored the second when Chelsea last played West Brom, and the England midfielder is also available at 4/5 to score at any time.
In that same fixture, Didier Drogba broke the deadlock, and the talismanic forward is 9/4 to do the same on Saturday.
Who, if anyone, could cause Chelsea problems? Graham Dorrans is 16/1 to score first. See the full Chelsea vs West Brom Match Betting Odds market.
