Jose
Mourinho takes Chelsea to West Ham on Wednesday night fresh from securing
the first trophy of his second spell at the club.
The Blues beat Tottenham 2-1 in Sunday's Capital One Cup final, and
Manchester City's defeat at Liverpool on the same day handed Mourinho's men
further initiative in the Premier League title race.
Chelsea's last league outing saw them held by Burnley in a controversial
affair at Stamford Bridge but Mourinho boasts a good record against West
Ham, who are enduring something of a blip.
The Hammers haven't won in five Premier League games, going the whole month
of February without victory as they also crashed out of the FA Cup.
Defeat at home to Crystal Palace saw Sam Allardyce's men slip to ninth in
the table and severely dent their European hopes ahead of their clash with
the league leaders.
Team news
Carlton Cole remains a major doubt for West Ham as he struggles to overcome
a hamstring injury, while Morgan Amalfitano is still suspended. Nene came
off the bench and impressed against Crystal Palace and could play from the
start.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho plans to rotate his options after Sunday's
victory at Wembley. Midfielder Nemanja Matic will complete his two-match
suspension after his dismissal for his reaction to a tackle by Burnley's
Ashley Barnes.
Midfielder John Obi Mikel has had a minor knee operation and is out until
early April.
Opta facts
Mourinho has a record of six wins and no defeats in seven Barclays Premier
League matches as a coach against West Ham.
Chelsea have won 13 and lost just one of the last 17 Barclays Premier League
games against the Hammers.
The Blues have lost just two of their last 16 Premier League away matches
(W10 D4 L2).
Only one team has prevented Chelsea from scoring in their last 27 Premier
League matches (Sunderland).
Allardyce’s team failed to muster a single shot on target when they met
Chelsea in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day.
Branislav Ivanovic has scored in four of his last seven appearances in all
competitions for Chelsea.
The Hammers have won just one of their last 10 Premier League matches (W1 D5
L4).
Merson’s prediction
The crowd are on Allardyce’s back at Upton Park. It’s harsh, but after
starting off so well people thought they were going to carry on, but it’s
hard. The top teams come to the fore right at the end, and West Ham and
Southampton now just seem to be a little bit short.
You could tell after the final at Wembley that Chelsea were buzzing. That’s
one of three potential trophies this season and you could see Mourinho’s
delight. He’s a winner, and I don’t think they’ll slip again. especially at
Upton Park against a wounded West Ham.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2
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