England Premier League
Saturday 24th April 2021
Kick off at 5:30pm BST
Venue: London Stadium
Match Preview:
Despite the fact that the Carabao Cup final is this weekend in England, perhaps the most anticipated match will actually be this London derby in the Premier League.
What makes this match such a glorious fixture isn’t just the fact that no love is lost between the two sides but also the timing; Chelsea are in 4th place with 55 points and West Ham are in 5th place with the same points, only goal difference is separating the clubs.
The Hammers have had one of their finest seasons in a generation as they try to finish in what was once thought a near impossibility, the top four. The club have not faced a poor spell this season and have been very consistent, however now is certainly not the time to fall apart and a loss here would mean back to back defeats. David Moyes side were beaten 3-2 by Newcastle last weekend and the club will be itching to get back home and get back on the winning trail.
Probably West Ham’s ‘secret weapon’ this season has been their home form and we shouldn’t forget that they have the 2nd best record in the league. The Hammers have won 9 games from 16 so far and have lost just three at home. Recent home form is very good with no defeats in their last five and that includes four victories.
Chelsea are arguably the most in form side in European football and they have had a positive few weeks. The Blues have reached the final of the FA Cup beating Manchester City no less in last weekend’s semi-final. They are also in the semi-finals of the Champions League and have lost just one game under manager Thomas Tuchel in 3 months. However Tuchel’s side did drop 2 points at home in midweek against Brighton as they could only draw 0-0 and that has allowed 3rd placed Leicester to pull out a 4 point lead.
Chelsea’s recent form in the league actually isn’t the best with just 1 win in their past four games, though their last away match ended in a 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
Team News:
West Ham: Aaron Cresswell is 50/50 to return for this game with his hamstring injury, he could miss out but will be assessed. Craig Dawson is suspended for this game after his sending off last weekend. Arthur Masuaku will be assessed with a knock and is 50/50 to play. Declan Rice could miss another 2-3 weeks with his knee injury.
Chelsea: Mateo Kovacic is 50/50 to return from a hamstring injury and will face a late test. He is the only player currently a doubt for the Blues.
West Ham vs Chelsea Head to Head:
Last season West Ham won this fixture 3-2.
Chelsea have scored 5 goals past West Ham in the last two league meetings.
Chelsea have managed just 1 victory in their last five visits to West Ham.
5 of the last seven league meetings has seen under 2.5 goals.
West Ham vs Chelsea Prediction:
The problem for West Ham is in defence. First it was Declan Rice with a long term injury, Aaron Cresswell could return but may not, and Craig Dawson is suspended. This will surely be a problem against a side like Chelsea, and you have to worry for the home side.
However going forward the Hammers have looked fearless and they always do raise their game when they play Chelsea. The worry of course is leaving themselves exposed at the back. Chelsea have look frighteningly good but if they put in the same performance as they did against Brighton there is no doubt the Hammers will win. But Chelsea do not look like a side as of yet under Tuchel who will put in two under par performances in a row.
This will be end to end stuff but West Ham’s defence is really going to get tested and the club have leaked a few goals lately, 10 in their last 4 games. We will be backing the away side to step up when it really matters in a game that should be exciting but equally tense.
West Ham vs Chelsea Betting Tips:
Chelsea to beat West Ham at 1.72
Anytime goalscorer: Tammy Abraham at 2.75
Chelsea to score 2+ goals at 1.91
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