Chelsea v West Brom: Will a West Brom win be the end for Benitez?
West Brom victories over Chelsea in recent seasons have resulted in a changing of the guard at Stamford Bridge. The Baggies have disposed of Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto Di Matteo in their past two clashes with champions of Europe. Some Chelsea fans will be praying the visitors can make it a hat-trick this afternoon to see the end of the raving Rafa Benitez.
The Spaniard went mad in midweek at Middlesbrough during a press conference where he criticised the fans and the board and I'm sure he'll be expecting a hotter reception than normal when he walks out this afternoon. With Arsenal and Spurs playing tomorrow, the Blues have the chance to reclaim third place. Blow it and Benitez could be making his final bow as Chelsea boss.
West Brom have emerged from their dreadful run of form to record back-to-back league wins over Liverpool and Sunderland. Today they go in search of their first league win at the Bridge in 35 years, but will be without their star striker, Chelsea's on-loan marksman Romelu Lukaku.
Chelsea have the second best home defence in the top flight while Albion have the poorest return in terms of goals and the worst defence in the top eight. Only Manchester United and QPR have beaten Chelsea at home this season so this looks like a home win, but you can't write off the Baggies. They are a much better team than the side that used to turn up and get their behinds spanked regularly.
Steve Clarke's men could frustrate the Blues, forcing the home fans to turn up the volume against Benitez which could filter through to the players and allow West Brom to steal the points.
After losing to Man City last weekend Chelsea desperately need a return to winning ways, but can they get past the Baggies? Here is what our pundits think.
Chelsea v West Brom; Kick Off 3pm March 2 2013
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Josh Ben Moshe |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Chelsea |
Apoorva Ankur |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Dave Disciascio |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Man United |
Peter Johnstone |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
Newcastle |
Greg Hall |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Norwich |
Sue Read |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
QPR |
John Jaycock |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Reading |
Jon Keen |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Southampton |
Andy Saunders |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
Stoke City |
Peter Holland |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim Barry |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Spurs |
Adam Crawford |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
West Ham |
Matt Beeby |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Wigan |
Jimmy Shine |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Sarshar Hosseinnia |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Blackburn fan |
Terry Kennedy |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton fan |
David Blackburn |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Wolves fan |
Chris Cox |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
2 |
V |
1 |
Panel Verdict
Home win.
Home: 19; Draw: 9; Away: 3. TBA 3.
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
