Chelsea VS WBA (West Bromwich Albion)
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Time: 5:30pm

Finally, the long wait is OVER! The biggest football show is back. . YES, it’s the EPL!

Champions Chelsea open the defence of their crown at home to newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion. The Blues finished the campaigned with the highest margin of goals and beat Manchester United to the title by just a point.

Chelsea could be without first choice goalkeeper Petr Cech, Striker Didier Drogba (DD) who faces a late fitness test after undergoing hernia surgery, Frank Lampard who hurt his ankle in England’s 2-1 against Hungary on Wednesday.

Chelsea have made a habit of hitting the ground running in recent years, and will be looking to win their opening game for the ninth successive season. The last time the Blues failed to win their first league game was in 2001, when current West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo was part of the playing squad at Stamford Bridge (De Ja Vu?)

Carlotti admits some of his squad are a little match-rusty, but says the midweek internationals will have helped them improve their match fitness.

On the other hand, West Bromwich are optimistic that Graham Dorrans' groin injury will not prevent him from starting at Stamford Bridge.
Defender Pablo Ibanez could feature after overcoming a hamstring problem.

Roberto Di Matteo said, “We will expect them to be on fire and we won't bank on anything else. We know that, come the start of business on Saturday, they will be ready”

May the best team win!!!

This should be an easy three points for Chelsea.

If Chelsea does not win this match,

2-1 for Chelsea

@Dstv people,
Can the game be watched without the HD decoder?

Wouldn't be surprised if we draw this.

sadly, this will end in a draw.

Where's all these negativity coming from, I don't get it.

chelsea to win by 3-1.

jalether:

Where's all these negativity coming from, I don't get it.

Folks are still fretting over the pre-season result and the OP sef had to put some Deja Vu yarns in there,

No easy team in the EPL, WBA will wanna show teeth. Chelsea's first game of the season is always won by that odd goal especially if its against newly promoted sides, I remember Crespo's 94th minute goal against Wigan a few seasons ago.

Anyways i expect us to win this one sha.

#letsgo

For 8 seasons now, Chelsea has won her opening fixtures. Chelsea has a monopoly of winning opening league fixtures.

i remember some years ago when they nearly crumbled to newly promoted wigan. now they're facing another newly promoted clubside. with Hilaro manning the post, i expect a whitewash win over the blues

dominique:

i remember some years ago when they nearly crumbled to newly promoted wigan. now they're facing another newly promoted clubside. with Hilaro manning the post, i expect a whitewash win over the blues

Hash is bad for the brain cells

mufasa:

Hash is bad for the brain cells

hmmnn. . . tell me something i don't know

If west BROOM score any goal against us today . . . I go vex for ancelotti o

oweniwe:

If west BROOM score any goal against us today . . . I go vex for ancelotti o

Hull FC scored a goal against Chelsea at the opening fixture last term, yet Chelsea won the league.

3 points to Chelsea
it is going to be a difficult match but I expect us to start the season with a win

itz gotta be cakewalk for the blues. Bet you wives on thie hombre

Andre Uweh:

Hull FC scored a goal against Chelsea at the opening fixture last term, yet Chelsea won the league.

i know. But conceding too many goal like 3 goals against Chelsea @ community shield is not good 4 any team. Too many conceded goals almost upset arsenal last season. I don't want that 4 Chelsea this season abeg

Cech

Ferreira Alex Terry Cole

Mikel

Essien Lamps

Anelka Malouda

Drogba



Lets go there. . . .

Why is Ivanovic's not starting. Is he injured

Obiiiii Mikelllll!!

Goal !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yea [img]http://s07.flagcounter.com/count/DymW/bg=ffffff/txt=ffffff/border=ffffff/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=0/[/img]