Following their FA Cup victory against Leicester City, Chelsea FC now face West Ham United away from home in the Premier League. The Blues will go against their city rivals at the London Stadium in a behind closed doors game.
Frank Lampard’s side would be hoping to defeat the hosts and take one more step towards ensuring a top-four finish in the Premier League. The Blues are chasing a Champions League berth for next season and three points against the Hammers would be of paramount importance to them.
Meanwhile, David Moyes’s West Ham United side find themselves in a relegation battle at the bottom end of the Premier League table. However, a win against the Blues would see them bridge the gap between them and 18th placed AFC Bournemouth. The last game for the Hammers saw them lose 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspurs.
Chelsea FC’s last game in the Premier League resulted in a 2-1 victory for the Blues against Manchester City FC. The win against second-placed City resulted in Liverpool FC being crowned the 2019-20 Premier League champions.
Moreover, the Blues would be on the hunt for revenge having lost the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge to the Hammers. A strike from West Ham United left-back Aaron Creswell proved to be the only goal of the match and the Hammers went home with a memorable victory.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Wednesday 1st July
Time: 8:15 PM GMT
Venue: London Stadium
TEAM NEWS
The hosts will dearly miss the absence of club-record signing Sebastian Haller, with the French striker being ruled out having suffered a hip injury in training. Scottish international Robert Snodgrass will also miss the game against Chelsea FC due to a back problem.
David Moyes may also have to select to starting lineup to face the Blues without the presence of commanding center back Angelo Ogbonna.
In-form winger Christian Pulisic limped off the pitch in the FA Cup victory against Leicester City. Frank Lampard had refused to comment upon Pulisic’s injury in the post-match conference, however, had stated that a further assessment would have to be made on the player’s fitness ahead of the West Ham United game.
Danish center-back Andreas Christensen may miss the upcoming game due to a hip problem. However, there is a chance that Christensen could feature in the game being held at the London Stadium if the player is able to pass the medical check.
Fikayo Tomori has been termed doubtful for the game against the Hammers. Also, Callum Hudson-Odoi is also not expected to be available for selection ahead of Wednesday’s match.
RECENT FORM
West Ham United FC: L W L L L
Chelsea FC: W D W W W
WEST HAM UNITED FC VS CHELSEA FC PREDICTED LINEUP
West Ham United FC: Fabianski, Fredricks, Balbuena, Diop, Cresswell, Noble, Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek, Felipe Anderson, Antonio, Pablo Fornals
Chelsea FC: Kepa; Cesar Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Kurt Zouma, Alonso; Ross Barkley, N’Golo Kante, Kovacic; Willian, Giroud, Loftus-Cheek
