Chelsea vs West Brom LIVE updates: Team news and line-ups; Olivier Giroud STARTS

Chelsea vs West Brom LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from Stamford BridgeGETTY

Chelsea vs West Brom LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea vs West Brom LIVE updates: Express Sport brings you the latest Premier League action from Stamford Bridge

IT’S A MUST-WIN…

19:25: It’s that time of year again where football’s tired clichés are trotted out.

“Must win” and “six-pointer,” are the ones I’m talking about. Use them sparingly folks.

Chelsea’s clash with West Brom now takes even greater significance after Liverpool took advantage of Manchester United’s shock defeat against Newcastle.

A victory for Antonio Conte’s out-of-sorts side would move them back above Spurs, but anything less than three points will leave them out of the top four as the battle to secure a coveted Champions League qualification place intensifies.

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY

19:20: Yep, that’s a headline inspired by a 1998 song by American country band, The Mavericks.

I like to keep things contemporary.

Anyway, Alvaro Morata caused quite a stir yesterday a video emerged (above) on Instagram of the Spaniard dancing with his wife Alice Campello.

The clip was posted on the social media site by Campello to her 1.3million followers but the comments section was flooded by fuming Chelsea fans questioning his injury. 

But he replied to one supporter claiming that it was an “old video” and said: “I’m not injury, I’m OK for the game tomorrow. A lot of critics now but no problem for me!”

That’s a life lesson, lads. Never let your missus record you dancing together in the kitchen. People WILL eventually see it…

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Tim: Great to see our best back three start together again. Even better to see Morata back in the squad! Also looking forward to see what Olivier Giroud has to offer.

Jay: Why isn’t Emerson starting? Why is he still playing the same formation? Come on Conte, are you ever going to learn? At least Giroud and Christensen start. We better win this.

Aaron: Typical that Albion get Evans and Gibbs back for a game they’ve got no chance of winning…

TEAM NEWS – WEST BROM

19:10: Alan Pardew, whose side are seven points adrift from safety, makes three changes after the defeat to Southampton.

The big news is that former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge starts in attack. The Liverpool loanee will be hopeful of getting on the scoresheet with Gareth Southgate expected in the stands.

Kieran Gibbs, Grzegorz Krychowiak and captain Jonny Evans return to the Baggies XI after injury.

TEAM NEWS – CHELSEA

19:05: Antonio Conte makes a couple of changes from the side who were smashed to bits by Watford last Monday.

As previously mentioned, Olivier Giroud makes his first start for the club with Eden Hazard returning to his favoured role.

Andreas Christensen is fit and returns to the starting line-up ahead of Gary Cahill, who drops to the bench.

Elsewhere there’s a return to the matchday squad for Alvaro Morata, who caused uproar on social media yesterday. I’ll let you know more about that shortly…

Chelsea vs West Brom LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from Stamford BridgeGETTY

Chelsea vs West Brom LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from Stamford Bridge

CHELSEA vs WEST BROM

19:00: And here are tonight’s line-ups. The big news is that Olivier Giroud makes his first start since joining from Arsenal on transfer deadline day. No Marcos Alonso…

Chelsea XI: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Christensen, Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Zappacosta, Giroud, Pedro, Hazard.

Subs: Caballero, Cahill, Emerson, Ampadu, Drinkwater, Willian, Morata.

West Brom XI: Foster, Dawson, Hegazi, Evans, Gibbs, Phillips, Barry, Krychowiak, Brunt, Rondon, Sturridge.

Subs: Myhill, Nyom, McAuley, Yacob, Burke, McClean, Rodriguez.

Chelsea vs West Brom LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from Stamford BridgeREUTERS

Chelsea vs West Brom LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from Stamford Bridge

HAVE YOUR SAY

18:58: If you want to vent your frustrations, or discuss any issues in the world of football (within reason), then get in touch!

You can either comment at the bottom of the page or contact me via Twitter using the hashtag #ExpressSport.

GOOD EVENING

18:55: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premier League.

We’re at a bitterly cold Stamford Bridge this evening as Chelsea look to avoid a third-consecutive defeat.

The Blues have suffered surprise back-to-back defeats to Watford and Bournemouth, conceding seven goals, and are 22 points behind leaders Manchester City.

The pressure is mounting on Antonio Conte.

What he would do for a massive win tonight. OK, a comfortable win. Alright, any bloody win will do for the Italian!

Let’s have some team news.

CHELSEA vs WEST BROM – PREVIEW

Chelsea will be without suspended midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko after the France international was sent off at Watford. Olivier Giroud could make his first start since moving from Arsenal, but centre-back Andreas Christensen (hamstring) faces a late fitness test and forward Alvaro Morata (back) remains sidelined.

Jay Rodriguez is available for selection for West Brom despite being charged by the Football Association following his clash with Gaetan Bong. Jonny Evans (back), Kieran Gibbs (hamstring) and Grzegorz Krychowiak (leg) are available but Jake Livermore (hamstring), James Morrison (Achilles) and Nacer Chadli (hip) are out.

Last season: West Brom 0 Chelsea 1, Chelsea 1 West Brom 0

Last five league matches: Chelsea D D W L L; West Brom L W D L L

Top scorers (all competitions): Eden Hazard (Chelsea) 13; Jay Rodriguez (West Brom) 8

Referee: Lee Mason