West Brom are heading for Stamford Bridge and another Monday night game which will whet the appetite and feed ravenous press keen to cheer on Chelsea`s perceived demise.
Without covering old ground a Blues win would go down fairly well in these parts. Looking at who`s likely to be available for the game gives us a good opportunity to round up a recent poll.
If all our striker`s were fit, we asked who you`d like to see leading the line against the Baggies. The four choices were
⦁ Alvaro Morata
⦁ Olivier Giroud
⦁ Eden Hazard
⦁ Callum Hudson-Odoi
As it turns out Morata is still injured according to Antonio Conte, mind you he looked happy enough on Friday,
Training session done! Going back home! pic.twitter.com/rS5QSzyzmx
? Álvaro Morata (@AlvaroMorata) February 10, 2018
Anyway despite his injury, it was Alvaro Morata that we wanted to up front on Monday evening with 83% of the voters cast. Sadly, unless Conte was simply bluffing that won`t be the case.
After that Olivier Giroud came in second with 9%, Eden Hazard was third with 7% and Callum Hudson-Odoi in last place with just 1%. So despite out protestations about not playing ‘the kids`, when push comes to shove, we`re not brave enough to do it either.
As well missing Morata, Conte will be unable to pick Tiemoue Bakayoko who is suspended following his dismissal in the previous game. Ross Barkley is still recovering from a hamstring injury.
Andreas Christensen faces a late fitness but is set for a return to the heart of Chelsea`s defence following a knock picked up in Bournemouth defeat.
Continuing with West Brom, Jay Rodriguez is likely to start despite being charged by the FA following an allegation of racism by Brighton`s Gaetan Bong. Missing for the Baggies will be Jake Livermore, Grzegorz Krychowiak and James Morrison. Kieran Gibbs and Jonny Evans are also unlikely to feature.
The game kicks-off at 8pm.