Chelsea Predicted Lineup Against West Brom & Injury News – Costa Fit, Mikel & Fabregas in Starting XI

Chelsea will host West Brom at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night in their next Premier League fixture. The Blues will be favourites to extend their run of four unbeaten games, and three more points will take them one step closer to the top half of the table.

The reverse fixture ended 3-2 in favour of the Blues and was the only away league win for sacked manager Jose Mourinho this season.

Injury News:

The Blues will be without the services of Eden Hazard and Radamel Falcao. Diego Costa went off injured in the FA Cup win over Scunthorpe United, but he has been declared fit by Guus Hiddink. Loic Remy has also joined full training with the squad.

“Costa is OK. He got a contusion on his knee; it was not inside the joint,’ Hiddink said. ‘The day after the game he was eager to go on to the pitch already, so I was a little bit amazed.”

When asked if the Spain international was fit to start, Hiddink added: “I think so. Remy is joining the group,” Hiddink said about Remy. “He trained individually but the last two days he practiced with us so he will be joining the group.”

Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper:

No marks for guessing Thibaut Courtois.

Defence:

Cesar Azpilicueta and Branislav Ivanovic are obvious choices as full-backs. Gary Cahill made his comeback from injury in the FA Cup win over Scunthorpe United, but didn’t look at his best, so I am going with the centre-back partnership of Kurt Zouma and John Terry.

Midfield:

Hiddink has put his faith in Mikel, and he has been rewarded for it, so expect John Obi Mikel to start in the midfield. Spaniard Cesc Fabregas will partner him.

Oscar will start in the attacking midfield role.

Attack:

Pedro and Willian will get the nods on the flanks. Diego Costa has magically returned to form under Hiddink, and as long as he is fit he is an obvious choice to lead the attacking lines.