Chelsea vs. West Ham: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info

Chelsea need three points on Sunday to keep their slender hopes of a Premier League top-four finish alive, as they welcome relegation-threatened West Ham United to Stamford Bridge.

Last time out, fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur earned their first win at the Blues' home since 1990 and in doing so opened up an eight-point gap to Chelsea, who sit in fifth. That margin is likely to have widened come kick-off on Sunday.

West Ham, meanwhile, gave themselves some breathing room at the bottom after they beat Southampton 3-0 in their most recent game. Any kind of positive result against Chelsea would be a big boost for David Moyes' side.

Date: Sunday, April 8

Time: 4:30 p.m. (BST), 11:30 a.m. (ET)

TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), NBC Sports (U.S.)

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), NBC Sports App (U.S.)

Team News

Chelsea: Manager Antonio Conte may recall Ross Barkley to the Blues squad after he recently stepped up his recovery from injury. David Luiz remains sidelined for this encounter, and Pedro is also a doubt after missing the Spurs clash Spurs; Thibaut Courtois should be fit to return.

Likely XI: Thibaut Courtois; Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger; Victor Moses, Cesc Fabregas, N'Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso; Willian, Alvaro Morata, Eden Hazard.

West Ham: Following a torrid run of recent form, Moyes found a system that flourished against fellow strugglers Southampton. Michail Antonio was recently ruled out for the rest of the season, while James Collins is also a doubt after missing the Saints win.

Likely XI: Joe Hart; Declan Rice, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell; Pablo Zabaleta, Cheikhou Kouyate, Mark Noble, Edimilson Fernandes, Arthur Masuaku; Joao Mario, Marko Arnautovic.

Team news courtesy of Fantasy Football Scout.

Chelsea Look to Cling On

GLYN KIRK/Getty Images

Although the FA Cup is surely Chelsea's main priority, Conte won't want his players to give up hope in their pursuit of a top-four finish.

It's a big ask, though. A win over Spurs would have put the Blues within two points of their London rivals, but Tottenham took over in the second half, with Dele Alli adding a brace to Christian Eriksen's stunning equaliser. Eight points is a huge margin to claw back with seven league games to go.

Chelsea were exposed defensively by Mauricio Pochettino's men. As Nizaar Kinsella of Goal noted, the transition in defence has cost the Blues at times this season:

There will be more onus on what Chelsea can do with the ball against West Ham. At times against Spurs, the Blues attacked with real venom, with Alonso and Hazard looking particularly threatening down the left flank.

Another positive for Chelsea from the Spurs game was Morata's goal again after a recent barren run, making it two goals in two games. Per Sky Sports Statto, the Spain international is particularly dangerous in the air:

West Ham don't have the kind of quality Spurs do, although if they play with the same fluency as they did against Saints, they could have some joy.

The man who has spearheaded their attack to great effect at times this season is Marko Arnautovic. The Austrian, renowned for his fluctuating temperament, has found his best form under Moyes and seems to relish the responsibility of being the most advanced player in the side.

Alex Morton/Getty Images

Against Southampton, he not only ran the defence ragged but also chipped in with two goals after Joao Mario's opener. Per OptaJoe, he's been crucial in West Ham pulling clear of the relegation zone:

They will need to up their levels when they meet Chelsea, although there should be some confidence among the visitors given they beat the Blues 1-0 earlier in the season. Unsurprisingly, it was Arnautovic on the scoresheet in that win.

Chelsea have found form hard to come by in 2018 and are vulnerable here. However, in front of their supporters, they should have enough to earn a comfortable victory.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 West Ham