Chelsea have just one point from their first two Premier League games, and they’re coming off a bit of a beating at the hands of Manchester City. It wasn’t supposed to be this way -- Chelsea were runaway champions last year, and there was no reason to believe they’d drop off. But they’re looking a lot like the team who fell apart against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, not the one that became champions of England very comfortably.
Chelsea vs. West Brom 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Everyone needs a win.
Alex Livesey/Getty Images
They’re presented with a great opportunity to bounce back on Sunday, when they take on West Bromwich Albion. Tony Pulis has never been relegated and doesn’t plan on starting now, but his team are very much a work in progress that doesn’t do anything well. They will certainly defend well eventually, but are only average at it right now. Their attack is probably the worst in the division.
Right now, WBA’s biggest concern is holding onto their biggest star. Saido Berahino -- the only person with genuine attacking ideas in the Baggies’ side -- has been linked to a move to Tottenham Hotspur all window. With Spurs lacking someone to rotate (or partner) with Harry Kane, they’ll certainly come in with a big bid next week. West Brom insist he isn’t for sale and are expected to start him in this match.
Upset potential - Moderate to low
As lame as Chelsea have been in their first two matches, West Brom haven’t looked capable of creating anything of substance. Even though they’re at home, against a Chelsea side coming off a whooping from City, it would be surprising to see them create excellent scoring chances.
Why are Chelsea underachieving?
There’s no one reason. It’s surprising that a team making no changes from last season looks lost, but maybe teams figured out how much of a defensive liability Cesc Fabregas is? Maybe Branislav Ivanovic is old and broken down? Or perhaps the secrets to Chelsea’s success all lied with a fully fit Diego Costa? All of these things need fixing or masking if Chelsea are going to win the title again.
West Bromwich Albion injuries and suspensions
Out: Ben Foster (knee)
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: Victor Moses, Oscar (unspecified)
Match date/time: Sunday, 8:30 a.m. ET, 1:30 p.m. local
Venue: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England
TV: USA (U.S. - English), NBC Universo (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sports 1 (U.K.), TSN4 (Canada)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. - English), NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Go (U.K.), TSN (Canada)
Listings for more countries at LiveSoccerTV.
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