The Blues will be overwhelming favourites to keep the pressure on top club Liverpool with a convincing victory over Tony Mowbray's team, who sit for points adrift of top-flight safety.

However, after seeing the Baggies defeat Manchester City last time out and witnessing his own men drop 14 points at home so far this term, Scolari insists the result is no foregone conclusion.

"I see that in England, people like this [Boxing Day] game," the Brazilian said.

"I asked some people in the supermarket and they said this game is very good. For us, it is one more game but for Christmas to be very good for me and for Chelsea, we need to beat West Brom.

"I say to the people that go to the game, don't expect an easy game.

"West Brom have good players for counter-attack and they play more football than other teams that I see in the Premier League. They try to play not long ball, they try to play football.

"They are in a bad position and they need to fight every game for their life. My team need to understand this and play with the same spirit. The spirit brings the quality."

Scolari is without suspended captain John Terry for the match as he starts a three-match ban after collecting a red card against Everton on Monday night.

The Blues are still without Michael Essien (knee) and Florent Malouda (thigh strain) while defender Ricardo Carvalho, on the brink of full fitness once more, is unlikely to figure.

Carvalho has recovered from his knee injury but only returned to training with the squad in the last few days and is not yet considered fully ready by Scolari.

However, with his injury problems abating, the former Portugal coach insists the Blues are well set to improve in the second half of the season.

He said: "Sometimes we make a mistake with the last pass, with the shot, with the cross. But only Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Essien are not ready for this game and I have more options. I will try to make something different for when we start the game.

"But first we have Christmas and I want to say best wishes for Christmas for all the people in England, not only for Chelsea fans.

"Enjoy Christmas. It is a day we need to think about peace and Christmas is for every day in the year, not only one day because if I have a good heart, I have Christmas every day.

"If I have a job, if I have health, if I have family, Christmas is every day."