Chelsea v West Brom - Goals look likely in MNF

PREMIER LEAGUE expert Lucas Swain (@LucasSwain95) takes a look at Monday night's contest between Chelsea and West Brom, pinpointing the value.

Chelsea v West Brom | Monday 12th February 2018, 20:00 | Sky Sports

Under-pressure Chelsea host the struggling West Brom in this week’s instalment of MNF, with both teams coming into the match with a loss the previous week. Antonio Conte’s recent Premier League champions are facing the team propping up the table. For Chelsea, this matchup should be a sure-fire victory, but if we look at the game more thoroughly it appears as if The Baggies have more of a chance than most would think.

Dark Horse

Goals have been a problem for WBA this season, and that’s without their strikers driving themselves to different clubs on Deadline Day. Despite this, Albion do have a new man to turn to. Daniel Sturridge, signed in January, will likely play his third game for WBA and will most certainly be looking for a chance for vengeance against his former club. It’s the unwritten rule in football to score against your former team and he could well be the man to crush the hopes of Chelsea and Antonio Conte.

As for Conte’s side, team news seems a little more hopeful. Wayward midfielder Bakayoko is suspended, and the misfiring Morata is still side-lined due to injury. Having said that, they had little worries in the way of personnel against Watford, and well, look how that worked out.

Betting

A potential Monday night thriller could definitely be on the cards here. Chelsea have conceded seven goals in their last two matches to sides of a relatively similar standard to West Brom, and yet Conte’s men still pose a threat to the Baggies. At least three goals have been scored in five of Chelsea’s last six games, and a prediction of Over 2.5 and BTTS certainty looks appealing.

If WBA manage to take the lead, they will certainly have to be resilient. Chelsea have trailed for an average of 14 mins per game, and only conceded 3 equalising goals all season – it’s safe to say the visitors will take the match to the Baggies.

Chelsea, despite being the favourites, could stay true to their form and struggle against a West Brom side that doesn’t have a player on over five goals for the season. However, averaging 1.77 goals per game this season the home side are in good stead to be victorious at Stamford Bridge.