West Brom v Chelsea: Baggies can avoid defeat at home

Andre Villas Boas found out first-hand that the Hawthorns is a tough place to visit, after he was relieved of his duties following West Brom’s 1-0 win over his Blues’ side in this fixture last term.

Chelsea are favourites to win the game at 10/11, while the Baggies are 14/5 to pick up their second home win over the European champions in as many attempts.

Although Roberto Di Matteo’s men have won just once in six games, they’re unbeaten away from home domestically which makes the draw worth a bet at 13/5.

Last season’s triumph was the first game in which West Brom had avoided defeat against the west Londoners in Premier League history and, after getting that monkey off their back, they will be confident of getting something out of this game having won in three of their last five outings.

Fulham are the only side who have kept the Baggies at bay this season and Steve Clarke’s side have opened the scoring in each of their seven home games – they’re priced at 6/4 to do it again here.

West Brom are not the most explosive of starters, however, focussing instead on establishing a foothold in the game in the early exchanges before opening up as the game develops.

They’ve scored just one league goal inside the opening 10 minutes, with the opener in each of their last three games coming in between the 30th and 40th minute. Back this to happen for the fourth time on the spin at 7/2.

As the Baggies continue their push to claim Newcastle’s mantle of Premier League surprise package, they’ll most certainly take a draw against such formidable opposition and, with Chelsea not firing on all cylinders, back the hosts not to lose with two goals or fewer scored in the game at 2/1.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date