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It’s been a miserable season for West Bromwich Albion, who started so brightly but have had nothing but heartbreak since. Now they have to host a Chelsea side fighting to get back into the title race in the Premier League, and their long run of futility looks likely to continue.
West Brom have won just two games all season in the EPL, and those came all the way back in the first two matches of the campaign. Since then, they’ve lost five matches and drawn four in a nine-match run of futility in the league, an extended run of awful play of that has seen them slump to a spot just one point clear of the relegation zone. Tony Pulis’ job security is hanging on a string, and he might not make it to New Years Day at the rate things are going.
Of course, this season hasn’t been without drama or frustration for Chelsea either, and the defending EPL champs are in fourth place and nine points out of first place because of it. Their form has been better of late, though, with four wins and one loss in their last six all-competitions matches, including a 1-0 win over Manchester United just before the break. Another win here could finally see them start to pull closer in the title race again, and they’ll likely give West Brom little break because of it despite their hosts’ lowly status in the league.
Chelsea are struggling with several injury issues, with Michy Batshuayi, Charly Musonda, and Victor Moses all out. Gary Cahill and David Luiz are expected back in the squad, but whether or not they start is a mystery. West Bromwich Albion are without Nacer Chadli, Craig Dawson, and James Morrisson, taking away key attacking and defensive depth at a time when they desperately need both.
Match info, plus how to watch on TV and stream
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. local
Venue: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England
Online: NBC Sports Gold (U.S.)
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Listings for more countries can be found at LiveSoccerTV.