West Brom won their first three matches this season but have since gone 10
without victory in all competitions.
Van Gaal had hinted at quitting after a wretched slump in form, but although his side have now gone eight games
without victory in all competitions, they at least avoided sinking to five straight defeats for the first time since December 1936.
Not exact matches
Vidal also played a key role
in his country's Copa America
victory earlier this summer as he finished the
competition with three goals to his name and also converted his penalty
in the shootout as Chile prevailed over pre-tournament favourites Argentina
in the final on home soil and end 99 years
without a major international trophy.
Goals from Gary Cahill and Diego Costa handed the Blues a
victory in the reverse fixture earlier on
in the season and the Merseyside outfit are
without a win against Chelsea
in the last seven meetings between the two
in all
competitions.
Boro will attempt to end a run of six games
without a
victory as they travel to North London, but their task could hardly be tougher as they prepare to take on an Arsenal side who are joint - top of the Premier League after winning their last seven matches
in all
competitions.
Atletico, winners of the Europa League
in 2010 and 2012, have now won their last six home games
in all
competitions without conceding a single goal after easing to another comfortable
victory, secured by Koke sweeping home Juanfran's cutback.
There was little between them when all 22 players were on the pitch − if anything, Norwich looked the likelier winner − so this may not be a straightforward encounter for the visitors, who are odds - on favourites to record their sixth consecutive
victory over Norwich
in all
competitions even though they've been winning of late
without playing at all well.
Their 3 - 2 win
in this fixture ended a run of eighteen games
in all
competitions without a Hammers
victory when the sides meet.