Chelsea-WestHam United: Premier League Preview

Warm Welcome

East London meets west on Sunday afternoon, as Gianfranco Zola’s West Ham United travel across the capital to take on Chelsea.

Of course this will be the first time that Zola has returned to Stamford Bridge as a manager. He is likely to receive a warm welcome, having spent seven years at the club, where his performances ensure he is widely recognised as one of the club’s greatest ever players.

However, the Hammers’ boss will need to be at his inspirational best if his side are to claim any points at Stamford Bridge, in what will be their second London derby of the week.

The Irons’ are currently enduring a miserable spell of form. They sit only three points clear of the drop zone and have won only one of their last 10 games.

Furthermore, they travel to Stamford Bridge in the knowledge that they have lost four of their last five London derbies.

Their record at Chelsea is also poor, having lost their last six Premier League games to the Blues; yet they will be boosted by the fact that they recently returned from Anfield with a hard-fought point, and will be hoping to go one better at the Bridge.
 

Problems At Home

However, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side have looked uncharacteristically vulnerable at home in recent weeks, which should inspire some optimism in the visitors.

After Liverpool wrecked the Blues’ 86-game unbeaten home run, the west Londoners have looked a little uncomfortable at the Bridge and have lost two of their last four home games.

However, Chelsea do possess an excellent record against the Hammers. They have done the double over the Upton Park side in the last two seasons and have not dropped a point to their London rivals since 2003.

No Plan B

After beating CFR Cluj in midweek to confirm their qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League, Scolari’s starting line-up should prove interesting reading on Sunday.

Didier Drogba came off the bench to score a sumptuous winner against Cluj. And now that his three-match coin-throwing suspension has been served, Scolari must decide whether the striker warrants an automatic start.

With Chelsea stuttering, the Blues’ boss has been vocal that his side have lacked a plan B and also insisted he wants to sign a striker in January.

As Nicolas Anelka is the league’s leading scorer, he is unlikely to be dropped, and Big Phil must decide whether it is finally time to unleash the Drogba/Anelka partnership on the Premier League.

FORM GUIDE

Last Five Results

Chelsea

Dec 09: Chelsea 2-1 CFR Cluj
Dec 06: Bolton 0-2 Chelsea
Nov 30: Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal
Nov 26: Bordeaux 1-1 Chelsea
Nov 22: Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

West Ham

Dec 08: West Ham 0-2 Tottenham
Dec 01: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham
Nov 23: Sunderland 0-1 West Ham
Nov 15: West Ham 0-0 Portsmouth
Nov 08: West Ham 1-3 Everton

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

The Blues’ have been boosted by the news that Ricardo Carvalho and Juliano Belletti are nearing a return. Yet the game comes too soon for both players, and they may be joined on the sidelines by Florent Malouda, who has a hamstring problem.
 
However, a fit-again and suspension-free Didier Drogba may start and if so is likely to partner Nicolas Anelka up front with Saloman Kalou, the man most likely to miss out.

Possible Starting XI: Cech, Ashley Cole, Terry, Alex, Bosingwa, Deco, Mikel, Ballack, Joe Cole, Drogba, Anelka.

West Ham

With goals a problem, Zola may be tempted to change his front man, and therefore there may be roles for David Di Michele, Diego Tristan, or Freddie Sears.

Elsewhere, Lee Boywer is an injury doubt, but Matthew Etherington and Jack Collison make the squad.

Possible Starting XI: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Mullins, Parker, Faubert, Cole, Bellamy.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chelsea—Didier Drogba

Having completed his three-match suspension and after making a goal-scoring appearance as a substitute against Cluj in midweek, Drogba must have forced his way into Scolari’s thinking.

Whether the Ivorian starts or begins on the bench, he is likely to be involved at some point, and he may prove the tonic for Chelsea’s stuttering home form.

West Ham—Scott Parker

Scott Parker endured a fairly miserable spell at Stamford Bridge, making just 15 league appearances in his 18 months in west London.

However, having returned from injury, he is enjoying life at Upton Park. And with the Hammers’ struggling, his experience and drive from midfield will be much-needed if Zola’s men are to get anything out of this game.

PREDICTION

Chelsea have been less than convincing at home in recent weeks, yet West Ham’s dismal form suggests they are unlikely to cause a stir across town.

The Hammers are struggling in front of goal whilst Chelsea boast the league’s top scorer in Anelka, and are also able to welcome back Didier Drogba.

Although Zola will be desperate for a result against his former club, the Blues look likely to inflict more misery on their former favourite.

Chelsea 1-0 West Ham