Barclays Premier League: Chelsea Vs West Brom Preview

José Mourinho will be reuniting with Steve Clarke on Saturday as Chelsea play hosts to West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge. Clarke, 50, worked as Mourinho’s assistant during the Portuguese’s first stint as the Blues boss from the years 2004 to 2007 but this is the first time the two, who won several trophies together including two Premier League titles, will meet as opposing managers on the touchline. Clarke admits his time under Mourinho completely transformed him as a coach.

"I learned more with him than with all the other coaches put together who I’d worked with," said Clarke.

Chelsea will be looking to get back on track in the league after losing 2-0 to Newcastle at St James’ Park, while Albion will be hoping to build on their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at The Hawthorns last time out.

Chelsea are favourites to take all three points, though, having won 12 of their 14 Premier League games with West Brom, including all seven at Stamford Bridge.

Fernando Torres (leg) and Ryan Bertrand (unspecified) both picked up injuries before the Schalke game and are also expected to sit out of this weekend’s clash, whilst Marco Van Ginkel (knee) still remains a long-term absentee.

West Brom know all about the threat of Chelsea and how they’ll play, as manager Steve Clarke has long been a friend and former work colleague of Mourinho. He will name his side to nullify to threat of the Blues on the break, and will hope he can spring a counter at Stamford Bridge.

West Brom will travel to London without Ben Foster (foot), Billy Jones (leg), Nicolas Anelka (groin) and Zoltán Gera (hamstring), but both Victor Anichebe and Scott Sinclair (both hamstring) have returned to training this week and could make the bench.

Possible starting lineups:

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Lampard; Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Eto’o

West Brom: Myhill; Jones, Ridgewell, McAuley, Olsson; Morrison, Mulumbu, Brunt, Sessegnon, Amalfitano; Long

Predicted Score: Chelsea 3 – 1 West Brom