If you ever doubted that Jose Mourinho is one of the best mental managers in football, just follow how he's been handling Chelsea's ascension to the top of the Premier League over the past month. No matter how well his team plays compares to those round him, the Portuguese boss refuses to talk title, refuses to give opponents anything to post of the bulliten board.
West Bromwich Albion vs. Chelsea: Preview and TV schedule
Chelsea has ascended to the top of the Premier League table and will look to stay there with a won over West Brom.
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Instead Mourinho's Blues are calmly rounding into form and might be playing the best overall football of any of the four title contenders left in the EPL. Led by Eden Hazard who is having a superb season, the Blues are scoring goals, defending well and while they could probably play even better, it's working.
West Brom were poor over the weekend suffering a 3-1 defeat a the hands of fellow relegation battlers Crystal Palace and Pepe Mel is well aware of what his team must do to have any chance against the Blues. Injuries continues to be problem for the Baggies with three starters still sidelined with various ailments.
Chelsea should have John Terry back after he was rested over the weekend. Striker Fernando Torres is expected to return as well after missing several weeks with a knee injury.
West Brom injuries and suspensions
Out: Nicolas Anelka (knee), Stephane Sessègnon (groin), Jonas Olsson (leg). In Doubt: Billy Jones (knee).
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: Marco van Ginkel (knee). In doubt: Fernando Torres (knee)
Billy Jones is the latest injury problem for West Brom and is a doubt for Tuesday’s match after tweaking his knee over the weekend. John Terry should be back, while Fernando Torres is close to returning from a knee injury.
Projected lineups
West Brom: Ben Foster, Steven Reid, Gareth McCauley, Craig Dawson, Liam Ridgwell, Claudio Yacob, Youssouf Mulumbu, Zoltán Gera, James Morrison, Chris Brunt, Victor Anichebe
Chelsea: Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Cesar Azpulicueta, David Luiz, Frank Lampard, Willian, Oscar, Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto'o
Match Date/Time: 8 p.m. local, 3 p.m. ET
Venue: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England
TV: NBC Sports Network (U.S.), Sportsnet (Canada)
Online: NBC Live Extra (U.S.)
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