It is the first meeting between Chelsea and West Ham this season and both sides have certainly suffered differing fortunes in recent weeks.
Many observers predicted this to be a tough season for the Blues. A transfer embargo in the summer meant players couldn’t be bought in with club legend Frank Lampard having to see the team’s prized asset, Eden Hazard, leave for Real Madrid and have to make do with the current squad and to bring young players through.
The results have been remarkable so far, with Chelsea sitting pretty in fourth, having lost just three Premier League games, winning eight. Young stars Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount have been superb and there is a feel-good factor around Stamford Bridge.
However, their opponents, West Ham, come into this game in wretched form, having lost five of their previous six Premier League games. The Hammers have not won since beating Manchester United 2-0 on 22nd September and manager Manuel Pellegrini’s job has been called into question.
Pellegrini’s men are in freefall after a promising start to the campaign and they now sit in 17th. Big signings were made in the summer, including the club record deal to purchase Sebastien Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt but the striker has failed to fire for the most part.
Chelsea vs West Ham Predictions
Chelsea come into this game on the back of an unlucky 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium which was followed by a 2-2 draw away to Valencia in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Providing those two tough games don’t have too much bearing on the fitness of Lampard’s squad, you would expect the Blues to win this comfortably.
West Ham lost to Spurs 3-2 last week at the Olympic Stadium, in a game where the scoreline flattered them, with two late goals despite Tottenham’s overall dominance.
They are a team that generally score but also have conceded way too many goals of late. Therefore, we’re saying that a 3-1 win for Chelsea could be a likely outcome for this encounter.
Chelsea vs West Ham Betting Tips
Chelsea vs West Ham Head to Head
- The two teams have played 48 times since 1993, with Chelsea winning 26 and West Ham 13.
- Chelsea have not lost to West Ham at Stamford Bridge in their last 14 encounters.
- Chelsea have scored 83 goals in those 48 games, with West Ham netting 45 times.
Chelsea Team News
The Blues will be sweating on the fitness of striker Abraham after he had to go off against Valencia in midweek with a nasty-looking hip injury after landing awkwardly. However, the England striker said after the game that the injury felt much better. He is due to have a scan but remains a doubt for Saturday’s game. Frank Lampard could welcome back Ross Barkley and Callum Hudson-Odoi into the squad following their respective injuries.
Potential team: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Reece James, Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori, Cesar Azpilicueta, N’golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Willian, Mason Mount, Michy Batshuayi.
West Ham Team News
First-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is still on the sidelines, despite returning to light training this week. Roberto, Fabianski’s replacement, has been shaky in goal so David Martin could make his debut. Michail Antonio made his return from injury against Spurs last weekend and made an immediate impact from off the bench. He could well be poised to start on Saturday. Manuel Lanzini is still a few weeks away from a return.
Potential team: David Martin, Ryan Fredericks, Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell, Andriy Yarmolenko, Mark Noble, Declan Rice, Michail Antonio, Robert Snodgrass, Sebastien Haller.
