West
Ham travel to Stamford Bridge this weekend confident of heaping yet more
misery on a Chelsea side which have exited the Champions League and FA Cup.
Chelsea are 10th with nine games to play after climbing from perilously
close to the relegation zone a week before Christmas.
West Ham are fifth, two points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, and
take their quest for the top four and Champions League qualification across
London.
The Blues were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain
and FA Cup by Everton last week, but the ailing champions will be aiming to
finish the season on a high.
Team news
Guus Hiddink will be without striker Diego Costa, who is suspended for the
game following his red card against Everton last weekend, while the Dutchman
will also have to do without Eden Hazard, who has ongoing hip and groin
problems.
Alexandre Pato could make his long-awaited debut in Costa's absence, but
Radamel Falcao (thigh) is continuing
to find fitness and defender Kurt Zouma (knee) is out for the season.
West Ham defender James Tomkins was expected to resume full training this
week but will miss Saturday's trip.
Tomkins is recovering from a calf injury and, like James Collins
(hamstring), is anticipated to be available following the international
break.
On-loan Chelsea winger Victor Moses is ineligible to face his parent club,
but Sam Byram comes into contention after being cup-tied for last week's
draw at Manchester United.
Opta stats
Chelsea have won seven and lost none of the last nine Premier League games
against West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have kept six clean sheets and conceded just three goals in that
nine game run.
Overall, West Ham have won just two of the last 19 Premier League meetings
with Chelsea (W2 D3 L14).
The Blues are unbeaten in 13 Premier League games since Jose Mourinho left
(W6 D7), but have only won two at home (W2 D5).
The Hammers have lost just two of their last 16 Premier League matches (W7
D7 L2).
Merson's predictions
Chelsea will be desperately trying to stop Slaven Bilic's side reaching the
Champions League when the two sides meet at Stamford Bridge. West Ham are
right in the hunt for European qualification but to get a result at Chelsea
they will have to play from the first whistle. In recent weeks they've only
come alive when they've been behind. They came back from 2-0 down against
Norwich and they did the same at Everton, before going on to seal all three
points. They can't afford to give Chelsea a head start. Again, there's not a
lot between these two sides and I'm going for another 1-1 draw.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet's odds: 11/2)
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