Chelsea
entertain high-flying West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day
looking to maintain their three-point advantage over Manchester City at the
top of the Premier League.
However, the Blues will be well aware of the tough challenge awaiting them
in Friday’s early kick-off given the form Sam Allardyce's side have
displayed so far this season, with the fourth-placed Hammers having lost
just once in the league since September.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has never tasted defeat in six top-flight
London derbies against West Ham and, with his team also unbeaten at home in
the league this campaign, he will be expecting to maintain those impressive
records.
Team news
The home side look like being without key playmaker Eden Hazard for this
London derby after the Belgium international picked up a foot injury in
Monday night’s 2-0 win at Stoke City.
However, other than that, Mourinho has a fully-fit squad from which to pick
from. Oscar will hope for a recall after being left on the bench at the
Britannia Stadium.
West Ham, meanwhile, hope to have midfielder Mark Noble available while
centre-back James Tomkins is a doubt due to a hamstring problem and will be
assessed before the match.
Opta facts
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last nine Barclays Premier League games played
on Boxing Day (W5 D4).
Chelsea’s last five Boxing Day matches have seen a total of just six goals
scored, since their famous 4-4 draw with Aston Villa in 2007.
Defeat to Arsenal last season ended a run of three consecutive Premier
League wins on Boxing Day for the Hammers.
Allardyce has managed just two wins in 21 Premier League games against
Chelsea (W2 D6 L13.
Allardyce has no wins against Mourinho in the competition (D3 L5), but his
three draws have all come in away games (in four visits to Stamford Bridge).
Chelsea have won 12 and lost just one of the last 16 Premier League games
against the Hammers (D3).
Merson’s prediction
Speaking on Goals on Sunday, Allardyce claimed a top-four finish for West
Ham is unlikely
"West Ham always seem to go to Chelsea and sit 10 men behind the ball, but
this time they are in form and if they go there to have a free swing and
have a go, you never know. But I think they’ll set up the way they normally
do when they go the Stamford Bridge and there’s no way Chelsea won’t break
them down before the end."
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
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