West Ham United will look to build on their improved performance against Manchester City when they welcome Chelsea to the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Hammers lost their ninth Premier League game of the season against City last weekend, but David Moyes will have taken plenty of positives from the 2-1 defeat as he looks to steer the club away from the relegation zone.
West Ham
© SilverHub
It was never going to be an easy task for Moyes. The Scot was not exactly a popular choice with the West Ham fans, and the team have taken just one point from four matches with the former Manchester United boss at the helm.
They were thumped 4-0 at Everton on November 29, but there were signs of life last weekend as they suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at City. It is now eight games since West Ham last won in the Premier League though, which is a run of form that stretches back to the end of September.
Indeed, a total of 10 points from 15 matches has left the London club in 19th position in the Premier League table. They have only won twice in the league this term, and also have the worst defensive record having conceded 32 times.
It is not as if it gets any easier for the Hammers as they welcome Chelsea this weekend before hosting Arsenal on December 13, but they then have three massive games against Stoke City, Newcastle United and Bournemouth.
Something has to give in the coming weeks, but West Ham have the second-worst home record at this stage of the 2017-18 campaign. They have actually only scored seven times in their six home matches, and have had problems keeping the supporters inside the stadium for the whole 90 minutes.
A win over Chelsea this weekend could be a turning point though, and the Hammers have actually been victorious in two of their last three home games against the Blues in all competitions.
There is simply no downplaying the importance of the match as Moyes looks to put his first three points on the board.
Recent form: DLLDLL
Chelsea
© SilverHub
Chelsea have almost been disregarded when it comes to challenging for the Premier League title this season, with many expecting Manchester United to run City the closest during the 2017-18 campaign.
The Blues are going along very nicely at the moment, however, with a total of 32 points from 15 matches leaving them in third spot in the table. They are only three points off second-placed United, but sit 11 points off City with Pep Guardiola's side enjoying a quite remarkable start to the season.
The Manchester giants will lock horns at Old Trafford this weekend, and a win for Chelsea at West Ham would allow the Blues to close the gap on at least one of the top two approaching the busy festive break.
Since losing 2-1 at Crystal Palace on October 14, Chelsea have won six of their seven Premier League matches – remaining unbeaten in the process. They scored late to draw at Liverpool on November 25, and have overcome Swansea City and Newcastle United in their last two matches.
West Ham will be the fresher of the two teams though as Chelsea played in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with a 1-1 draw seeing the Blues finish second behind Roma in Group C.
Chelsea have actually lost two league matches at Stamford Bridge this season, but they have the second-best away record behind City. They have also shipped just five goals in their seven league fixtures on the road, which is an indication of the task facing West Ham this weekend.
Antonio Conte's side also have a kind fixture list over the festive break, and will fancy their chances of winning each of their next six in the league before travelling to Arsenal at the start of 2018.
Recent form: WWWDWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWDWWD
Team News
© Offside
West Ham boss Moyes has a decision to make between the sticks after Adrian's impressive performance against City.
Joe Hart is available after sitting out the clash with the Citizens due to his ineligibility, but it is thought that Adrian will keep his spot in goal.
Winston Reid should also return after sitting out the clash with City, while Cheikhou Kouyate is expected to be fit after limping out of the fixture at the Etihad Stadium last time out.
Michail Antonio could start through the middle once again, leaving fit-again Javier Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic on the bench.
As for Chelsea, head coach Conte has no injury concerns following the clash with Atletico, and is once again expected to select Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard as a front two, leaving Pedro and Willian on the bench.
Gary Cahill should also keep his position in the back three ahead of Antonio Rudiger, while either Danny Drinkwater or Tiemoue Bakayoko will start alongside N'Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas in the middle of the park.
West Ham possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Reid, Ogbonna, Rice; Zabaleta, Kouyate, Fernandes, Obiang, Cresswell; Lanzini; Antonio
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Christensen, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Alonso, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Kante, Moses; Hazard; Morata
Head To Head
Chelsea recorded a 2-1 victory when they travelled to the London Stadium in the Premier League last season, but West Ham were winners by the same scoreline when the pair met in the same stadium in the League Cup.
The Hammers have actually won two of their last three home games against Chelsea in all competitions, although Chelsea lead the overall head-to-head 49 victories to West Ham's 39.
We say: West Ham 1-2 Chelsea
There is no question that West Ham were much improved against City last weekend, but Chelsea will fancy their chances of piling more misery on the Hammers. It might well be a tight and tense affair for long spells, although we fancy the visitors to collect another three points.
Matt Law
