PREM: West Brom v Chelsea preview

West Brom v Chelsea preview

N'Golo Kante is set to return as Chelsea look to secure a second Premier League title in three seasons when they take on West Brom.

The French midfielder missed last Monday's win over Middlesbrough with a thigh injury, but it was just a precaution and he is set to feature as the Blues go looking for the victory they require to clinch the title.

Antonio Conte's side lead second-placed Tottenham by seven points and need just three points from their three remaining games to be sure of silverware.

The Italian boss, who won three successive Serie A titles with Juventus, is seeking a fourth consecutive championship in domestic football, and a first in his first season in English football.

"This could be another big, big step for me," Conte added. "At the start of the season it wasn't easy. We faced a lot of problems and we had to solve a lot of problems.

"When you finish 10th in the league it means that the problem is not only one, but there are a lot of problems. The problem is not only one person. I have to say thanks to my players because it's not easy to adapt to a new method, new philosophy and also to work very hard, to change totally your work, if you compare the work this season to the past.

"I think we're doing a really good job, but I want this job to become great and then fantastic. We have two big opportunities this season to finish this season in the right way."

Chelsea might be closing in on glory but West Brom boss Tony Pulis has vowed his team will make it tough.

He said: "There are three points riding on it for them and us. We're doing our damnedest to make it a competitive game and a good game. I don't think Antonio will expect anything different.

"We'll give it our best. We have a responsibility to our supporters. We're still chasing a points tally that will keep us in eighth position, so we have a lot to play for."

West Brom defender Jonny Evans is fit to face Chelsea. The Northern Ireland international came off in last week's 2-2 draw at Burnley with an ankle injury but will play, with Chelsea one victory away from winning the Premier League.

Matt Phillips (hamstring) is out of the game at The Hawthorns on Friday while Hal Robson-Kanu will be in the squad after his own hamstring issue.

Conte has a fully fit squad to choose from but may consider tinkering with his personnel to accommodate Cesc Fabregas, who was man of the match after replacing Kante in the starting XI against Middlesbrough.