Chelsea will be hoping for a more comfortable afternoon than they endured in this corresponding fixture last season when they host West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Eden Hazard converted a stoppage-time penalty controversially won by Ramires to rescue the Premier League leaders a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge last November.

In fact, the Baggies have regularly caused the Blues problems of late, having lost only one of their five previous meetings between the sides.

Chelsea appear to be a different beast this season though, and have dropped only four points on their way to establishing a cushion of five at the top of the table after 11 games.

Comparisons to Arsenal's Invincibles have already been made and while Jose Mourinho has been keen to play those down, his side have been untouchable in winning all five of their home fixtures so far.

Ahead of a Champions League tie with Schalke 04 next week, the Portuguese tactician has decisions to make on Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, neither of whom featured for Spain during the international break.

Costa was allowed to rest a hamstring problem that has been hampering him in recent months, while Fabregas pulled out of the La Roja squad with a similar injury and may be rested for the visit of Albion.

Willian is the most likely to come into the side as the only change to the starting XI which won 2-1 at Liverpool a fortnight ago, with Ramires being shifted inside to play alongside the much-hailed Nemanja Matic.

Baggies manager Alan Irvine only has a couple of fitness concerns in defence to worry about ahead of their trip to the capital. Sebastien Pocognoli is a doubt, while Jonas Olsson is both out of action and out of favour.

Should Pocognoli, who has established himself as West Brom's regular left-back since his summer arrival, not be available, Cristian Gamboa and Jason Davidson are vying to replace him.

The pair have only started two Premier League games between them, but their inexperience is compensated for in midfield, where Craig Gardner should return to join the likes of James Morrison and Chris Brunt.

Saido Berahino may not have made his England debut as he had hoped in midweek, but he will lead the line for Albion in London, with Stephane Sessegnon likely to be recalled to increase their counter-attacking threat.

West Brom are 13th in the table and went down 2-0 at home to Newcastle United in their last outing.

Chelsea:

Form in Premier League: WWWDWW
Form in all competitions: WDWWDW

Possible starting lineup: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Ramires; Hazard, Oscar, Willian, Costa

West Brom:

Form in Premier League: WLDDWL
Form in all competitions: LDDLWL

Possible starting lineup: Foster; Wisdom, Dawson, Lescott, Davidson; Dorrans, Morrison, Gardner, Brunt; Sessegnon, Berahino

Sports Mole says: 3-0