Chelsea v West Brom Betting Tips

Chelsea must have breathed a huge sigh of relief when Kevin De Bruyne skied the simple chance that would have put Man City 2-0 up last weekend: they proceeded to take full advantage of this lifeline, and now seek their ninth straight league win. This week they welcome West Brom to Stamford Bridge, and while the visitors have done tremendously well to reach seventh place in the league 14 games into the season, they will be hard pushed to keep Chelsea from extending their winning run.

Historically, West Brom have fared modestly well against Chelsea: over the last nine fixtures, the Baggies have gone W3-D3-L3 against the West London side, but their recent away record against top-six sides is a much less impressive W1-D3-L6, with that solitary away win coming in the 2014/2015 season at Old Trafford. They are particularly vulnerable in the first half, losing the opening period in 16 of their last 20 away games against top-six teams. Chelsea are famously strong at home and have not lost against a middle-third team at the Bridge since the departure of Mourinho. Consequently, they will be in a very confident mood going into this game.

West Brom were much too good for Watford last weekend, but it is hard to see them achieving the same feat on Sunday. Chelsea have scored first in eight of their last 13 home matches, and given West Brom’s weakness in the first half on the road, we back Chelsea in the Half Time/Full Time market.