Big Game Focus: Chelsea v West Ham

 

Chelsea host West Ham in a London derby clash this evening with an aim to strengthen their top four hopes with the season entering the homestretch. You can bet on this game here.

Chelsea look to build on their decent form in the Premier League when they host West Ham in a London derby tonight. The Blues have lost only one of their last six matches and a win for them will boost their top four hopes.

West Ham have had an up and down season. Their inconsistency has seen them drop out of the top half of the table, leaving their Europa League dream proving to be a mirage. However, the Hammers will be encouraged by the fact that they are unbeaten in their last three Premier League games against Chelsea.

Betting Preview

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 12 home league meetings with West Ham since a 2-3 loss in September 2002. They have only lost one home game in the Premier League this season, and their 3-0 win against Brighton last time out made it four wins from their last five. They have also conceded twice in their last five home matches. Therefore, you can back a Home Win to Nil at odds of 2.15.

Eden Hazard has scored four goals against West Ham in the Premier League. The Belgian has also scored 14 Premier League goals this season. Therefore, you can back Eden Hazard as Anytime Goalscorer at odds of 1.85.

Seven of the Blues’ last ten home league matches have seen Under 2.5 Goals scored, and the same is true of four of West Ham’s past five games. So you can back Under 2.5 Goals at odds of 2.50.

Team news

Chelsea’s only concerns will be Marcos Alonso and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who are doubtful for this clash.

Felipe Anderson, Samir Nasri and Ryan Fredericks have returned to training and could force their way into contention at Stamford Bridge. Winston Reid, Jack Wilshere and Andriy Yarmolenko are still out with injuries.

Possible line-ups

Chelsea: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Emerson, Kante, Jorginho, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud, Hazard

West Ham: Fabianski, Zabaleta, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Antonio, Noble, Rice, Lanzini, Anderson, Hernandez