Sports Blog 18/05/2015: Match Preview – West Brom vs Chelsea, Monday 18th May 2015

It would be hard to find a less relevant game in the final week of the 2014/15 Premier League as Chelsea visit West Brom at 8pm on Sky Sports 1.

Yet regardless of the outcome of Monday’s game, both Jose Mourinho and Tony Pulis alike will be exceedingly happy with their respective seasons despite a current gulf of 43 points between their two sides. After a transitional period on his return to Chelsea in 2013/14, Mourinho has presided over a tough, often criticised but, importantly, successful Blues side in the second season of his second era at Stamford Bridge. A League Cup win earlier in the year was the starter for the Premier League main course that finally came at the start of May. However, there will be lingering frustrations for the Portuguese maestro; embarrassing exits from the FA Cup and the Champions League (the former at the hands of rampant scalpers Bradford, the latter at the hands of big-haired former Blue David Luiz) have denied Chelsea dessert at the season’s end.



In comparison Pulis’ season led to rather less exciting gains by its end; well, unless you are a Baggies fan that is. Before Pulis took over the reins in January, West Brom were embroiled in this season’s tight relegation battle, and had only won 4 league games all season. However, with the Welshman in charge West Brom went on to be unbeaten throughout February, lifting the Baggies out of the relegation region to their current safety. Whilst things have been a bit rockier since that February peak, Pulis has got the points when needed and helped ease the worst fears of West Brom’s supporters.

Looking to Monday night and there is little beyond pride to play for. West Brom will be chasing Crystal Palace’s 12th place position, and on 41 points already have a long term Premier League spread of 41.9-42.3, with Arsenal as their final day opponents. The Baggies’ top scorer Saido Berahino (18 goals this season, 12 of which in the league) is at 11/2 to score first with a Super Mega Player Goal Minutes spread of 21-15. Victor Anichebe and Brown Ideye are both at 15/2 to score first, with the former on a Super Mega PGM spread of 13-17.



Interestingly, Chelsea haven’t on in their last 3 visits to the Hawthorns, with 2 losses and a draw. Yet Mourinho will want to end the season with a bang not a whimper, and whilst how many points they finish on its academic, Chelsea can reach a nice and tidy 90 if they win their final 2 games. This leaves the Blues on a long term Premier League points spread of 88.2-88.6 with Sunderland to come on Sunday.

Frustratingly for Diego Costa, a 6 week absence due to injury has left him adrift of Sergio Aguero’s 25 goal league total, with the Brazilian-born Spanish national on 19 goals with 2 games to go. However, with a chance of his return tonight, Spreadex is offering 20/1 fixed odds for Costa to be this season’s Golden Boot winner (with Aguero odds on favourite at 1/6).

The Baggies will want to continue their strong run against Chelsea, and deny them an explosive end to the season. And given that they have 5 clean sheets in 12 games against top 7 sides they may be well-equipped to do so; in light of this Spreadex is offering a Total Goals spread of 2.4-2.6. However, and it is a big however, Chelsea will want show they are worthy winners of the Premier League and rebuke accusations that they are boring to watch; this has lead our clients and traders alike to fancy the blues at a Chelsea/West Brom (h) Goal Supremacy sports spread betting quote of 0.55-0.75.