Chelsea vs. West Ham Preview

Can we buck the trend and take advantage?

Chelsea beat Brighton midweek in what was a refreshing game for the fans as everyone we wanted to start started and we saw some brilliant goals as well moving into 5th. The fans will hope that Sarri sticks to a winning formula and selects the same lineup as Chelsea can move into 3rd with a win. Our opponents West Ham are 11th of the league and can be counted in the bracket of Leicester, Watford, Wolves and Everton as teams vying for a top 10 finish but West Ham are probably the worst of the 5. West Ham have won 2 and lost 3 of their last 5 fixtures and the reverse fixture was a 0-0 draw. 

With Slavia Praha to come in the Europa League on Thursday and then a trip to Liverpool on Sunday, Chelsea have to rotate their squad well but for this game we should start the lineup that played against Brighton and rotate the squad for the trip to Slavia. That way we can use the Brighton lineup against Liverpool as well. The games are racking up and the race for top four is as tough as the race to win the league and Chelsea cannot drop anymore points. In previous situations when we have had the chance to go above the rest we have not taken advantage and so now we cannot drop the ball any longer. 

Chelsea Team Preview

Chelsea have no injury problems and for Sarri it’s a case of who to prioritise for what game. In my opinion we should stick to the lineup that we used against Brighton no changes. Kepa in goal, Azpi, Christensen, Luiz, and Emerson in defence, Jorginho, Kante, and RLC in midfield, and Hazard, Giroud, and CHO upfront. 

West Ham Team Preview

For Pellegrini, Anderson, Nasri, and Fredricks are back while Carroll, Wilshere, Yarmolenko, Sanchez, and Reid are out. 

Starting XI Prediction

West Ham won’t be pushovers but Chelsea have to win and take advantage. The lineup will be an indication of what to expect and while the hope is that Sarri doesn’t make any changes I expect him to rotate a bit. Either way Chelsea have to win. COME ON YOU BLUES!!!