A rattled Chelsea keen to bounce back with a win following their disappointing elimination from FA cup when they host West Ham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
Chelsea’s miserable season reached an all-time low after the exit from both Champions League and FA Cup and there is nothing left to play for. There only hope is a place at the Europa League next season and even for that they must do much better from now on.
West Ham, the giant killers have trounced almost all big teams in the league this season are coming on the back on some impressive results in the past few weeks. Starting this match at fifth in the table, they are very much with a chance of qualifying for Champions League at the expense of Arsenal and Manchester City.
Form Guide
Chelsea have now failed to win their last three matches in all competitions starting with the 1-1 Premier League draw against Stoke City, following by defeats to PSG and Everton in cup matches.
The Blues are unbeaten since 13 matches in the Premier League and scored at least a goal in their last four matches. Interestingly, five out of their last six home league matches have ended in a draw.
West Ham are coming on the back of three Premier League wins in a row and are unbeaten in the last four. Their overall away form is on the moderate side and have lost 2, drawn 1 and won 1 in the last four.
A significant highlight West Ham’s season under Slaven Bilic is their form against bigger teams as they are unbeaten against Arsenal, Manchester United, City and Chelsea and managed 17 points from possible 21.
Chelsea: Team News
Diego Costa is suspended for this match after his sending off in the FA cup defeat against Everton.
Eden Hazard is reportedly sidelined after failing to recovering from his hip injury and will forced to watch from sidelined along with Kurt Zouma and Falcao.
Captain John Terry is set to start here and the crisis in the attack may pave way for the first start for January signing Alexandre Pato.
Predicted Line-up (4-2-3-1):
Courtois – Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry – Mikel, Fabregas – Pedro, Willian, Oscar – Traore.
West Ham: Team News
West Ham head-coach Slaven Bilic has an almost fully fit squad to choose from for this crucial tie against Chelsea. Both James Collins and Tomkins have returned to training, but may still miss the match after lacking in fitness.
Victor Moses is ineligible to face his parent club and will sit-out for this match.
Predicted line up (4-2-3-1):
Randolph – Byram, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell – Kouyate, Noble – Antonio, Lanzini, Payet – Sakho.
Chelsea vs West Ham: Head-to-Head Comparison
With the 2-1 win at Boleyn Ground, West Ham ended Chelsea’s five match unbeaten run against them.
However, Chelsea are unbeaten in the last nine home matches against West Ham which dates back since 2003/04 season.
Chelsea vs West Ham: Prediction
I would like to overlook the head-to-head stats for this match and give the edge to West Ham on the basis of the current form. With Dimtri Payet in the form of his life and Antonio always finding a way to put the ball in the back of the net, they could be out here to inflict first loss on the Blues under Guss Hiddink.
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