WILL Chelsea wrap up the title on Friday night? Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) previews their clash with West Brom.
West Brom v Chelsea | Friday 20:00 | Sky Sports 1
P5 W1 D1 L3. Those are Chelsea's form figures at The Hawthorns since 2011/12. Hardly inspirational stuff, but those of us clinging onto the hope that this title has unlikely legs in it are bound to be disappointed on Friday night as West Brom host the champions elect.
Monday's 3-0 win over Middlesbrough was as easy as the scoreline suggests and this Chelsea side have looked on a different mental level to every other side in the division in the last six months.
Title a certainty
The title win is a certainty and this collective have been building up to this day for a few months now. It seems implausible that foot-off-the-pedal West Brom can stop them on Friday night.
There's no point me going over Chelsea's record; we're all aware of it. Every time they've been asked questions they've answered them emphatically and with the title gift-wrapped for them here, I can see them ripping the wrapping off with gusto.
It's no wins in six for West Brom and last week's 2-2 draw with Burnley was the first time they'd scored since a mid-March win against Arsenal.
Their job was completed that day with Premier League survival all but assured and it's been a long plod to the finish line for the Baggies ever since.
Hawthorns finale
The only positive I have down for West Brom is that this is their last home game of the season and they will surely be a responsibility to send their fans off with some sort of smile.
Under Pulis, West Brom beat Chelsea 3-0 on their last game at The Hawthorns in 2015 and last year they managed to hold Liverpool to a draw in their home finale. However, this feels different.
I can't decide whether I see the Baggies scoring or not, but I do feel Antonio Conte's men will be so up for this and I wouldn't be surprised if they put on a show. I'll back them to win by more than one goal.
Best Bets
West Brom v Chelsea – Chelsea -1.5 (11/10 Bet365)
