Saturday Team News – Will Lukaku Start?

Chelsea fans will be heading to Stamford Bridge this afternoon full of optimism ahead of the game against West Bromwich Albion, and they will be hoping to catch their first glimpse of teenager Romelu Lukaku.

There are noises coming out of the Chelsea camp that Lukaku will be handed a debut, but it is more than likely that he will be on the bench, but we will see.

Petr Cech is definitely out and will be most probably be replaced by Hilario, who was on the bench for last weeks game at Stoke. Ross Turnbull will then take his place on the substitutes bench.

Alex was given the nod last week in central defence, and he was impressive alongside captain John Terry and he looks set to keep his place in the starting line-up.

John Obi Mikel has had to cope with the news about his father this week, but he is also expected to keep his place in the starting line-up later on today.

Here is the most likely starting XI. Hilario, Cole, Terry, Alex, Bosingwa, Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou, Malouda and Torres. Subs Any Seven from the following. Turnbull, Ivanovic, Anelka, Drogba, Lukaku, Benayoun, McEachran, Ferreira.

Whoever starts today nothing less than three points will do for Chelsea, but it would be nice to see Romelu Lukaku at some point during the game.