Chelsea vs West Bromwich Albion Time & Live Score: EPL 2010-11

Defending champion Chelsea faces West Bromwich Albion in their opening Premier League fixture on 14 August 2010 at the Stamford Bridge. It seems the newly promoted West Brom could find Chelsea too tough to break, but still the Blues are less likely to take their opponent lightly.

Time

The match kicks off at 16:30 GMT and 17:30 BST. According to the US time, the match begins in New York time at 12:30 and California time at 09:30.

Live Score

To get the live score of the match, visit the following link:

http://www.livescore.com/

Both the clubs have been in excellent scoring form last season. Chelsea scored record 103 league goals last season and this was the first century of goals in a single season in English top-flight football since Tottenham Hotspur’s same achievement in 1962-63 season.

Similarly, West Brom’s scoring form in the last Championship season was also pretty much impressive as the Baggies scored 89 goals. They scored consistently in their last 26 Championship matches. Albion also showed their never-give-up mentality last season as they came from back to clinch 6 wins and 26 points.

However, the head-to-head result shows Chelsea picked up full points against West Bromwich Albion in their 8 previous meetings in Premier League. The last time West Brom defeated Chelsea came in 1978 as the Blues lost to the Baggies 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Moreover, Chelsea conceded only 2 goals against West Brom in their 8 Premier League meetings so far. Chelsea fans would also be happy to know that the Blues have been winning their opening matches for the last 8 Premier League seasons.

However, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti could be a bit worried about his side’s shaky defending against dead-balls. Chelsea conceded 63% of their total goals from deal-ball situations last season.

Moreover, Ancelotti would miss the service of right back Jose Bosingwa who is currently out of action with a knee injury. Goalkeeper Petr Cech and defender Alex are expected to be available after getting over their respective injuries, while Didier Drogba lacks of match fitness and could come as a substitute. Key midfielder Frank Lampard picked up an ankle knock during England’s 2-1 friendly victory over Hungary and would go through a late fitness test.

However, the good thing is that experienced midfielder Michael Essien has returned to action after getting over his injury sustained in January 2010 during the African Cup of Nations. Moreover, new signing Yossi Benayoun could have his Premier League debut in Chelsea shirt against the newly promoted side.

West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans is doubtful with a groin injury, but defender Pablo Ibanez is expected to be available following his recovery from hamstring injury.

Chelsea would like to have a winning start to the new Premier League mission. West Brom, on the other hand, may not have any ambitious plan, but would definitely like to ensure their Premier League stay. They were relegated to the Championship in 2008-09 season, just a season after winning a promotion.