West Ham United and Chelsea face off in the Premier League this weekend at the London Stadium in the 120th meeting between the city rivals.
Chelsea have gone eight away games without a win, a record that the Blues head coach Graham Potter would be hoping his new-look side break when they make the travels to West Ham on Saturday.
The home side West Ham have been in flying form since the turn of the year, with three wings and two draws of their opening six games in 2023 and the results have seen them climb out of the drop zone in the league table.
West Ham sit 17th in the table and just one point above the relegation zone ahead of the upcoming derby against Chelsea who have won eight of their last 10 London derbies.
Chelsea have come out on top in only two of their last 12 Premier League matches since October last year and after spending big on new signings this January window to bolster the squad, the pressure would be higher than ever on Potter to bring about a much-needed turnaround at the Bridge.
Any hopes of a top four finish come the end of the season, despite how things stand at the moment with Chelsea sitting mid table in ninth and 10 points adrift of fourth placed Newcastle United, a win over West Ham could be the impetus required by the Blues.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Date – Saturday 11 February 2023
Time – 2 PM GMT
Venue –London Stadium
TEAM NEWS
N’Golo Kante, Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy and Armando Broja all remain long-term injury concerns for Chelsea and will be sitting out the upcoming contest.
Midfield duo Denis Zakaria and Mateo Kovacic will be subject to scans on their fitness levels ahead of the West Ham clash as Potter looks for his absent names to return to the squad with injuries on the rise in the engine room.
Joao Felix is also available for selection after he served a three-match suspension following his red card in the debut game for the Atletico Madrid loanee.
Reece James and Ben Chilwell have both returned to full fitness and it remains to be seen whether Potter would be recalling the English wing-backs to the team sheet.
KEY BATTLE
Jarrod Bowen vs Thiago Silva
West Ham will rely upon the ever present Jarrod Bowen to trouble an in form Chelsea backline with Bowen a constant threat in the final third of the pitch.
Chelsea’s mainstay at the back, the 38-year-old Thiago Silva, has been an indispensable figure for the Blues this term and amid his contract extension talks with the club, the veteran Brazilian will be tasked with keeping the West Ham front line at bay.
MATCH PREDICTION
Chelsea are the favourites for the weekend clash although West Ham will provide a stern test on their home soil for Graham Potter’s side.
West Ham United 1-2 Chelsea
