Chelsea aim for ninth win on bounce as they head in to Premier League clash with West Brom

Chelsea coach Antonio Conte is aiming for a ninth win in a row when the Blues take on West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League at noon on Sunday.

The former Italy coach has turned his fortunes, as well as that of Chelsea, around remarkably since the 3-0 reverse at title rivals Arsenal in September.

They confirmed their supreme form and place at the top of the pile with a hard-fought 3-1 at Manchester City last week.

Now they bid to extend their points tally and position at the summit and chalk up the ninth win with the Baggies in town for an eagerly anticipated encounter.

And the re-emergence of David Luiz as a key player in the 3-4-3 system has been highlighted by former Blues favourite Ruud Gullit as part of the Blues’ success.

Ex-Holland ace Gullit reckons having the likes of Nemanja Matic, N’Golo Kante, Gary Cahill, and Cesar Azpilicueta around him suits Luiz.

He said:

“A lot of people questioned the decision to re-sign him and I understand why there were doubts – and at 29, he has not changed and he is still that same player who can make mistakes, but the formation Conte has used during their eight-game winning run allows him to play to his strengths because of the players he has got around him.”

Meanwhile Conte has been buoyed by some good news regards his squad members as he prepares to go head to head with old stager Tony Pulis, whose side are no slouchers and currently sit in seven spot in the table.

Midfielder Nemanja Matic is poised to return after missing the City game with a muscular problem, while Diego Costa and Pedro are fit after being forced off during that game.