Premier League game of the week: West Brom v Chelsea

It is the third weekend of the Premier League season and already various themes are starting to emerge: Chelsea's title defence is becoming a soap opera, Manchester City look like the team to beat, Liverpool have done a decent job in the transfer market this summer, Everton and Leicester could surprise a few people.

With Liverpool not visiting Arsenal until Monday night, there are several contenders for game of the weekend. Steve McClaren takes winless Newcastle to Old Trafford hoping to get one over on his old employers while league leaders Man City head to in-form Everton in what could be a thriller with plenty of goals on Sunday afternoon.

However, given the events of the last couple of weeks, it is the visit of Chelsea to West Brom that takes top billing.

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Before the season started this looked like a routine win for the champions, but little has gone according to plan for Chelsea so far this term.

The Blues travel to the midlands without suspended goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, with new medical staff on the bench after the Eva Carneiro row and question marks over the future of John Terry, who was hauled off at half time against Man City last week.

Amid the rancour, however, there was a positive this week as the Blues secured the signing of Barcelona forward, Pedro, who could make his Premier League debut on Sunday lunchtime.

Both sides have just a point apiece after the opening two games of the season, and it is four-and-a-half years since the Blues won at the Hawthorns.

The managerial match-up is also fascinating. Tony Pulis is a wily character who specialises in getting his sides to perform above expectations, and he will not easily be outwitted or intimidated by a master tactician like Mourinho, no matter what psychological traps he lays.

Pulis has twice beaten Mourinho in the Premier League, and no manager has done it three times.

Mark Lawrenson of the BBC predicts a "very tight game". West Brom paid the price for committing to attack against Man City and will likely be more circumspect against the Blues. Mourinho, with many of his key players out of form, is unlikely to throw caution to the wind himself.

The real drama may come off the field. The Guardian believes the game is make or break for Blues legend John Terry. "If Terry is left stewing on the bench at the Hawthorns... it might point to a rapid end to a glittering Chelsea career," says the paper.

It will also be fascinating to see how Pedro fits into the Blues' plans and if he even makes the squad.