Following a frustrating 0-0 draw with Ukrainian outfit Dynamo Kiev in mid-week Champions League action, Chelsea now turn their attention to trying to resurrect their flagging domestic campaign as they take on West Ham today. Meanwhile, the hosts, who currently sit in an impressive fourth place, are facing an odd conundrum. Whilst excellent on the road, the Hammers have been quite disappointing at home - something that usually is seen in reverse with most teams in football.
Nonetheless, they are the ones looking down on the reigning Premier League champions, who are still struggling to find their footing after what has been the worst season thus far in the memories of most supporters.
West Ham
Although they finished in a safe 12th position last season, which was one spot higher than during the 2013/2014 campaign, no one could have anticipated how well the Hammers have performed thus far. With Sam Allardyce dismissed this past May, Slaven Bilić was appointed promptly in his stead, and under the tutelage of the former Croatian international defender- who also featured for the team he now coaches - they have worked their way up the table into a Champions League play-off position.
Of course, with 29 rounds remaining, a lot will change, but for the moment, Hammers fans have plenty to celebrate. Their 17 points see them just two behind Arsenal and Manchester United, and more important, unlike in previous campaigns, they are the ones looking down on the reigning Premier League champions, who have earned just 11 points thus far. And it's not just this six point gap that has supporters hoping they can beat the odds this Saturday, but also they have outscored their opponents - by 20 goals to 14 - and have conceded less with 12 versus Chelsea's 17.
Bilić's men will be coming into this game after a resounding 3-1 win against Crystal Palace and he will be fancying their chances against a Chelsea side that have been disappointing and devoid of confidence all season. With the exception of Winston Reid, he will have pretty much a full-strength line-up and could use most of the same personnel deployed against Crystal Palace last weekend.
However, West Ham have only won one out of their four home matches, with the others finishing as one draw and two losses. Additionally, the Hammers have a poor head-to-head record against the Blues. Since defeating them 1-0 on May 3, 2003, they have won just one out of their subsequent 19 meetings.
Should they win later today, it will be their first victory since trouncing Chelsea 3-1 on December 1, 2012. Incidentally, both these wins during this time frame incidentally took place at the Boleyn Ground.
Chelsea
Even the most anti-Chelsea fan certainly could not have predicted how Jose Mourinho's men would struggle so far this season. With rumors of fights between the Portuguese tactician and key players like John Terry and Eden Hazard - both of whom have been benched at various points this season - things are not looking so bright at Stamford Bridge these days.
An injury to star keeper Thibaut Courtois certainly hasn't helped, but there are problems in other areas of the pitch. None of the team's three strikers - Loic Remy, Radamel Falcao, and Diego Costa - have started firing in the goals and in fact, has been suspended for more games than times scored in the league (with just two so far to this name).
Their disappointing showing in Ukraine did not help to calm the worries of supporters, many of whom feel Chelsea could make amends for their bad domestic campaign by a strong showing in Europe. However, the Blues have only won one out of their three UCL ties and will face a tricky uphill battle to even qualify for the round of 16.
But with the next round of UCL action a few weeks away, right now at the forefront of fans' minds will be earning all three points against West Ham. A couple of players are still struggling with injury, including Pedro, Remy, Courtois, and Branislav Ivanovic, whose form all season has been a serious source of frustration for Chelsea followers.
As such, Baba Rahman could start as left back with César Azpilicueta moving to his preferred right back position. However, given his reported sour relationship with Hazard, further highlighted in his prickly demeanor during his pre-match press conference, it will be interesting to see if the Belgian will start alongside Willian (who is the team's top goal-scorer with four in all competitions) and Oscar in support of Costa up front.
Will West Ham defeat the Blues for the first time in nearly three years? Or will Mourino's troops pull off another great escape as the struggle to turn their season around?
We could all be in for a very entertaining clash, and fans definitely will not want to miss out on this one! Make sure you bookmark our special West Ham vs. Chelsea match page for all viewing times and options for your specific location.
Team sheets for West Ham vs Chelsea
West Ham's lineup: Adrian, Jenkinson, Tomkins, Collins, Cresswell, Noble (c), Kouyate, Zarate, Payet, Lanzini, Sakho.
Chelsea's lineup: Begovic; Zouma, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Diego Costa.
West Ham's subs: Randolph, Carroll, Valencia, Obiang, Ogbonna, Jelavic, Antonio.
Chelsea's subs: Amelia, Baba Rahman, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek, Oscar, Traore, Falcao.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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