Chelsea vs West Brom – teams announced
Published:Premier League title holders Chelsea take on West Brom at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 5.30pm) hoping to register an opening day win for a ninth successive season.
Chelsea have sealed a deal in the region of £18m for Brazilian midfielder Ramires, but he has not been registered in time to face the Baggies.
Following hernia surgery, Didier Drogba’s participation had been in doubt, but the Ivorian is in the starting line-up and he is the 9/4 favourite to open the scoring.
After passing a late fitness test, Frank Lampard starts, and the England midfielder is 7/2 to score first today.
Nicolas Anelka starts on the right, and the Frenchman is 7/2 to break the deadlock – and possibly open the floodgates – against West Brom.
Roberto Di Matteo’s side are stark 18/1 outsiders to win today, but they will take heart from Chelsea’s unconvincing pre-season form.
The visitors hand an official debut to Spanish international centre-back Pablo Ibanez.
Key man Graham Dorrans is fit to start, and the Scottish midfielder is 5/1 to score at any time.
Could West Brom possibly cling on to a point? The draw is 13/2. See the full Chelsea vs West Brom Match Betting Odds market.
The teams in full:
Chelsea: Cech; Ferreira, Terry, Alex, Cole; Mikel, Essien; Anelka, Lampard, Malouda; Drogba
West Brom: Carson; Cech, Ibanez, Tamas, Jara; Thomas, Mulumbu, Brunt, Morrison, Dorrans; Bednar
See the full Chelsea vs West Brom Match Betting Odds market.
