Just two points separate these two sides, but Chelsea and West Ham are worlds apart when it comes to recent performances and the Blues will be hoping to continue their surge up the table when they host West Ham on Sunday.
Team news
Chelsea remain without a host of players, with no fewer than 14 either ruled out or doubtful for Sunday’s fixture.
Raheem Sterling, Christopher Nkunku and
Robert Sanchez are doubts, while Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Malo Gusto, Ben Chilwell, Enzo Fernandez, Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu, Carney Chukwuemeka, Levi Colwill, Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi are all sidelined.
West Ham manager David Moyes has fewer selection issues to contend with, although George Earthy and Nayef Aguerd are both out and Konstantinos Mavropanos is a doubt.
Chelsea have won six of their last seven home games, while over 2.5 goals has landed in eight of their last nine league matches.
Only two teams have seen more goals scored in their top-flight matches than Chelsea this season.
West Ham are winless across their last five competitive games.
Over 2.5 goals has been a winner in each of the Hammers’ last four away games in the league.Over 2.5 goals has been a winner in each of the Hammers’ last four away games in the league.That victory lifted the Blues above the Hammers in the table and, after a difficult first season in charge, Mauricio Pochettino now finds his team in the hunt for European qualification next term.
Crucial to the Blues’ resurgence has been their form at Stamford Bridge, which has seen them win six and draw one of their last seven competitive matches, scoring 24 goals in the process but shipping 11 at the other end.
West Ham have lost four of their last five competitive away games and were on the wrong end of a 5-2 result at Selhurst Park in their last road trip, so another victory for the home side could be in store.
Goals are expected, too, with Chelsea’s Premier League matches this term averaging a massive 3.65 goals per game and over 2.5 goals landing in seven of their last eight at home.
