Chelsea have been near unbeatable this season in the English Premier League, and on Saturday they will look to continue on their merry way when they host the team that nearly beat them last season at Stamford Bridge – West Bromwich Albion.
The Blues are unbeaten in their first 11 games of the season, and currently enjoy a four-point lead over Southampton at the top of the Premier League table – crucially, though, that lead is eight points from Manchester City.
As talk over Chelsea matching Arsenal's "Invincibles" continue to grow, Jose Mourinho will know the importance of taking it one game at a time, particularly with the flurry of fixtures arriving in the festive season.
"I go match by match," said Mourinho. "I know we have seven Premier League games, plus two Champions League games and one in the Capital One Cup [up until Boxing Day].
"My focus is on West Brom, not West Ham on 26 December, Tottenham or Stoke. We are going to play just thinking about West Brom, playing with the team we think is the best team.
"I expect to win but I expect a very difficult match. I always expect to win, we go into every game thinking that but they have a good team. If you look at the results -- 2-1 against Liverpool, 2-1 against QPR, 1-1 against Manchester United -- it's difficult to get a different type of scoreline so I expect a tight match.
"They know they can get a result against us because they've done it in the past.
"I'm not thinking about being champions, finishing second or finishing third, I'm just thinking about winning against West Brom, nothing else. We want three points so let's see if we can do it."
West Bromwich Albion, who are 13th with 13 points from 11 matches, have only lost one of their last five games to Chelsea, and nearly beat them at Stamford Bridge last season – a win which would have ended Mourinho's then unbeaten record at home – only for a controversial penalty to scupper those hopes.
While the Chelsea team from last season were a formidable unit, the one this campaign is a different beast, one that looks unbeatable and scary-good going forward as well as at the back.
"Some players will get confidence from previous results as they will have played in those games, but it is a completely different game," West Brom manager Alan Irvine said. "Chelsea have strengthened a very good squad from last year by adding some exceptionally good players.
"They are stronger but it doesn't mean we can't get something from there. We have a chance -- there is absolutely no question of that -- but we will need to play extremely well.
"They are very effective from free play and every effective from setpieces. We need to take the opportunities that we get to attack them."
Where to Watch Live
The match is set for a 3 pm GMT (8.30 pm IST, 10 am ET) start with live coverage on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports HD1. The action can also be watched via live streaming online in India on Star Sports online. There is no live TV coverage in the UK , but viewers can listen to the match via radio on BBC Radio 5 Live or on the website. Catch the action in the US on TV on NBC Sports, while the game can also be Live Streamed online on NBC Sports Extra.
Audience in the Middle East and North Africa can watch the match via Live Streaming online courtesy Bein Sports Connect, while South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa viewers can do so via SuperSport online. Australia viewers can Live Stream the action Fox Sports On Demand, while viewers in Canada can do the same Sportsnet online.
Team news: Chelsea: Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas did not join up with Spain citing hamstring injuries, and while the former is expected to start the match, the latter is a slight doubt. Ramires could also miss out with a groin problem, while Andre Schurrle is another player struggling for fitness.
West Bromwich Albion: Jonas Olsson is definitely out with an Achilles injury, while Sebastian Pocognoli is a doubt. The versatile Craig Gardner returns from suspension.
Expected lineups: Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa.
West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Wisdom, Dawson, Lescott, Pocognoli; Gardner, Morrison; Sessegnon, Dorrans, Brunt; Berahino.
Prediction: 2-0 to Chelsea
