The loss against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend extended West Ham United’s winless run to seven league games. They will find it tough to arrest the slump this weekend as well when they travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Frank Lampard’s Chelsea who are on a good run of form despite losing to Manchester City in the league last weekend.
The Blues also drew against Valencia in the Champions League game mid-week but are unbeaten in their last 13 league games at home against the Hammers. Manuel Pellegrini’s men are just three points off the drop zone and need to put up a fight to even have a chance to take anything from this game.
PREDICTED WEST HAM TEAM TO FACE CHELSEA (4-4-1-1)
Team News
The manager revealed that Manuel Lanzini, Jack Wilshere and Lukasz Fabianski are all ruled out for this weekend. Xande Silva remains unavailable while Issa Diop will miss this game through suspension for accumulation of yellow cards this season.
Defence
Roberto Jimenez has not been at his best replacing Fabianski in goal and could have a tough game under the bar yet again this weekend.
Diop’s suspension should see Fabian Balbuena partner Angelo Ogbonna in the West Ham team. The duo needs to keep Tammy Abraham as far away as possible from the goal.
Ryan Fredericks was under pressure all game against Spurs last weekend and will be up against another tricky player in Christian Pulisic this weekend. He will start at right-back while Aaron Cresswell will look to add a presence to the West Ham team at both ends of the field.
Midfield
Pellegrini has stuck to a four-man midfield in the last couple of games. Mark Noble and Declan Rice are a decent partnership in the middle of the park. But they need to make sure that the likes of N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic are not allowed to run the game in the midfield.
Felipe Anderson needs to step up if West Ham are to start collecting points. The Brazilian is West Ham’s most creative player and will keep his place in the side on the left flank.
Michail Antonio came off the bench and scored West Ham’s second against Spurs last weekend and could replace Andriy Yarmolenko on the right side of the midfield, also giving Fredericks some support on that flank.
Attack
Robert Snodgrass has not been too effective in the last few games and could lose his place in the side. Pablo Fornals, who seems to be finding his feet, deserves a chance in the support striker’s role in this game.
Sebastien Haller needs more support in attack. He will continue to lead the line and will look to test Fikayo Tomori and Kurt Zouma at the back.
Here is how they might line up:
