The EPL season might only be two games old, but it's still hilarious to see last year's champions, Chelsea sitting right in the thick of the relegation scrap.
Of course, the Blues will work their way out of trouble in no time flat, but they're already five points off the pace of the leaders this season and won't want to lose any more ground on Sunday at West Brom.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The oddsmakers surely aren't worried about a letdown from Chelsea in spite of the fact that it has just one point in two EPL matches thus far this year. The Blues are still -1 on the Asian Handicap even though they're on the road, translating to a -158 favorite on the moneyline.
The total is somewhat low at 2.5 with -133 vig on the under.
KEY INJURIES
Strangely enough, the Blues aren't being faced with fitness problems. Oscar is the only injury of note, and he isn't likely to make the trip to The Hawthorns.
The Baggies too, are only playing without Ben Foster, a man who is going to be sidelined until at least October after he suffered a gruesome knee injury last March.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Watford didn't surprise me, but they surprised the players I think. In the first half, we were definitely on the back foot, they moved the ball quickly and caused us problems, although without creating too many clear cut chances. They were certainly the better team." – West Brom manager Tony Pulis after a lifeless 0-0 draw last week against newly-promoted Watford
RECENT FORM
The Blues weren't great in their preseason fixtures, and now in competitive matches, they have been beaten badly by Manchester City 3-0 and left on level terms with Swansea 2-2. The 1-0 loss in the Community Shield to Arsenal seems to stand out a bit too nowadays.
West Brom was also handed a 3-0 loss by Man City from the first match of the season before playing out the scoreless draw against Watford. The Baggies join newly-promoted Bournemouth as the only teams in the Premier League without a goal thus far on the young season.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
West Brom has one massive problem over its head right now, that being the consistent pestering of Tottenham to try to lure away Saido Berahino. For the time being, West Brom has relented from accepting a bid, but if the Spurs get desperate enough, Pulis will have little choice but to take the big payday for the club as a part of the greater good.
However, if Berahino goes, the Baggies are dead. They already have one of the grimmest attacks in the Premier League, and we have no doubt this duel has another bagel written all over it against a Chelsea defense which is still one of the best in the league even after conceding three at the Ethiad last weekend.
Chelsea will get back to its ways in this one with an emphatic victory to start to turn the tide around again. The much-maligned Cesc Fabregas should be back in better form running the midfield for the Blues, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Diego Costa and Radamel Falcao finally get off to mark in this one as well.
An ugly final score could be awaiting at The Hawthorns on Sunday, and a defeat by a large magnitude will already have WBA supporters wondering about Pulis and his job security.
Chelsea 4, West Brom 0
BookMaker has live English Premier League odds for every clash of the season. BookMaker is also going to have multiple betting options available for this nationally-televised match. Chelsea opened as a -158 favorite. The first offering of the total came in at 2.5. Live wagering during the match offers an adjusted moneyline, total and spread. Log in and start gambling during the soccer match now!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The fixture between Chelsea and West Brom will take place on Sunday, August 23, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. at The Hawthorns.
