East London meets West London on Saturday evening as the Hammers look for a repeat performance of last season’s memorable 3-1 victory at Upton Park.
Sam Allardyce and his men will be wary of results prior to the game and will have the incentive to potentially leave the relegation zone, and a win over your rivals would be a perfect way to do it.
With Chelsea stuttering in recent weeks, it is imperative that the Irons take advantage, they proved last year that if you stay solid defensively and stay in the game you always have a chance.
The problem for West Ham this season has been in front of goal, however they do have the 2nd best clean sheet record in the league but at the same time they are one of the most toothless attacks.
With Andy Carroll still missing for a large spell, the Irons have adopted a 4-6-0 formation, which has seen them pack the midfield hoping to nullify the threat of the opposition.
Sam Allardyce believes Chelsea are vulnerable and their recent game against Newcastle United proved that, the Blues lost 2-0.
He said: “That game showed there is vulnerability there and, if your team masters its tactics, you can beat a team as big as Chelsea.”
The Hammers are currently just outside the relegation zone on goal difference and know how important three points would be, not only would it act as a massive moral boost but with two winnable fixtures coming up in Fulham and Crystal Palace a chance for the Irons to string some wins together before Christmas.
Chelsea, meanwhile have their special one back at the club, and although it’s not been a dream start for Jose Mourinho his side are still well and truly in the hunt for the title.
Widely tipped at the start of the season to win the league, giving his record in previous years, Jose will want to bounce back from what has been a disappointing month for the Blues.
Mourinho’s men have lost to Newcastle and just escaped with a point against West Brom, in rather controversial fashion, thanks to a last ditch penalty which the official has since apologised for.
Chelsea may be consistently solid at home, but their away record has been sketchy to say the least, they have lost to Everton, and Newcastle, whilst failing to score against Manchester United and drawing at White Hart Lane.
The Hammers, though will know of Chelsea’s qualities with players like Frank Lampard, Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o they have players that can cause danger in seconds, and that’s not even mentioning Juan Mata should Mourinho decide to start him.
This is a fixture though that the Hammers could win, if they turn up and perform at their very best. They must contain and repel Chelsea for as long as they can and with players like Ravel Morrison, Stewart Downing and Matt Jarvis the Hammers can counter at pace and cause Chelsea all sorts of problems.
This is definitely a potential banana skin for Mourinho and his men under the under the Upton Park lights.
Last five:
West Ham:
- West Ham 1 – 3 Manchester City
- Swansea City 0 – 0 West Ham
- Burnley 0 – 2 West Ham
- West Ham 0 – 0 Aston Villa
- Norwich City 3 – 1 West Ham
Chelsea:
- Chelsea 2 – 1 Manchester City
- Arsenal 0 – 2 Chelsea
- Newcastle 2 – 0 Chelsea
- Chelsea 3 – 0 Schalke 04
- Chelsea 2 – 2 West Bromwich
Star men:
West Ham
· Mark Noble
· Jussi Jaaskelainen
· Winston Reid (who misses this clash)
Chelsea
· Eden Hazard
· Oscar
· Lampard
Team News:
West Ham: Razvan Rat, Winston Reid, Andy Carroll and Ricardo Vaz Te are missing for the Hammers, whilst James Collins and Joey O’Brien face late fitness tests after picking up knocks on International duty.
Chelsea: Ashley Cole is still missing for the Blues with Cesar Azpilicueta likely to remain at left back.
TFL news: As usual TFL has decided to make near enough impossible to get to West Ham, with no Jubilee line, Hammersmith and city and District line. Coming in from St Pancras, the best route according to TFL is… Met line to Liverpool Street, Central to Stratford, Jubilee to West Ham, District to Upton Park. From Waterloo the best route according to TFL is… Jubilee to West Ham district to Upton Park, effectively the same route.
Bowdenwhu predicts: West Ham United 1 Chelsea 1
Come on you Irons!
Tweet me @Bowdenwhu
