Reigning
champions Chelsea are still looking to win their first game of the new
Premier League season when they play West Bromwich Albion on Super Sunday.
Jose Mourinho's side travel to the Hawthorns on the back of a heavy 3-0
defeat to Manchester City and a 2-2 draw with Swansea City on the opening
day.
New signings Pedro and Baba Rahman could make their debut for Chelsea while
West Brom's record signing Salomon Rondon is expected to make his home bow.
Tony Pulis' side are without a win this season having draw their last game
0-0 with Watford and losing 3-0 against Manchester City in their first
match.
Chelsea have only ever lost back-to-back games once under Mourinho, in 2006
after they had already secured the league title.
Team news
Saido Berahino is set to face Chelsea despite the ongoing speculation over
his West Brom future.
The Baggies turned down a bid from Tottenham for the striker this week but
boss Tony Pulis is confident he is in the right frame of mind.
Federico Fazio is close to joining from Tottenham but needs to be registered
in time while Serge Gnabry is match fit so could make his debut.
Pedro and Rahman could make their Chelsea debuts on Super Sunday after
completing moves to the Premier League champions this week.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will return from a one-match ban in place of
Asmir Begovic, while captain John Terry is likely to start in defence
despite being substituted at half-time in last week's loss at Manchester
City.
Victor Moses and Oscar are out with undisclosed injuries.
Stats
West Brom defeated Chelsea 3-0 at home last season; the joint-heaviest
defeat Mourinho has ever suffered in the Premier League.
No team has defeated WBA more often in the Premier League than Chelsea (13
wins, level with Arsenal).
No team has won the top-flight title after gaining exactly one point from
their opening two games since Liverpool in 1981-82.
Jose Mourinho's last six Premier League defeats have come against a manager
who has a surname starting in P (Pulis, Poyet, Pardew, Pochettino, Pulis,
Pellegrini).
Tony Pulis has won two Premier League games against Mourinho - no manager
has won three Premier League games against the Portuguese.
Merson's prediction
Chelsea have to win this game. If City win at Everton and Chelsea lose then
it's all over. People will say, 'don't be silly, it's only three games into
the season', but the difference will be eight points.
It's a must-win game for Chelsea. There's no way West Brom will be as open
as they were against Man City but I think Chelsea will get the win.
Pedro is a massive signing for them and they have to get the season started
this weekend. I still think they will be there or thereabouts at the end of
the season.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
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