Friday 21 August 2015

WBA Predicted XI to Face Chelsea


Saido Berahino 
 
West Bromwich Albion go in search of their first goal for the 2015-16 Premier League season whilst both these sides head into Sunday’s match with only one point to their name.
Tony Pulis’ side have been thrashed 3-0 at home to Manchester City and held 0-0 at Watford to start the season, whilst Chelsea have been held 2-2 at home by Swansea and thrashed by the same scoreline by the Citizens.

The defending Premier League champions will be looking to lay down a marker in this match and get their season underway with three points at the Hawthorns.  We could even see new signings Pedro and Baba Rahman make their debuts.

Here’s how we think Pulis will try to counter the threat of José Mourinho’s Chelsea:
Goalkeeper: Boaz Myhill
 
Boaz Myhill continues in goal for the Baggies whilst Ben Foster’s long-term injury keeps him sidelined.

Defence: Craig Dawson, Gareth McAuley, Joleon Lescott, Chris Brunt
Will Chris Brunt face Pedro or Willian as West Brom’s left-back on Sunday?  Craig Dawson is set to face Eden Hazard with the Belgian superstar yet to find his best form this season.  Diego Costa has only fired in one shot on target in 180 minutes of Premier League action thus far this season.
Midfield: Callum McManaman, James Morrison, Claudio Yacob, Darren Fletcher, Saido Berahino.
 
Tony Pulis will have learned a lot from the opening two games this season.  Playing two up top against Manchester City backfired so West Brom will line up with five in midfield for this game and others versus the top teams this season.  Saido Berahino has experience down the left wing and I expect him to play there to cause Branislav Ivanović problems as the Chelsea right-back has had a nightmare up against Jefferson Montero and Raheem Sterling’s pace to start the season.

Striker: Salomón Rondón
Likewise, the two centre-backs struggled with the pace and movement of both Bafétimbi Gomis and Sergio Agüero.  Can West Brom’s new signing deliver a similar impact?  We shall have to wait and see.  We’ll also find out whether the home side have a player in the centre of that midfield that can play the kind of passes that Jonjo Shelvey and David Silva pulled off to great effect against the Premier League champions in the opening two rounds.
Here’s how West Brom line up:

Predicted WBA lineup vs Chelsea on 23/08/2015

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