Hammers boss David Moyes makes one West Ham change for Chelsea after big Said Benrahma and Thilo Kehrer calls.
West Ham entertain Chelsea at the London Stadium on Saturday lunchtime for what is set to be a huge game for both teams.
It is fair to say West Ham and Chelsea have fallen way below expectations in the Premier League this season.
So there is plenty riding on this particular east vs west London derby.
West Ham seem to be slowly but surely turning a corner in their battle for survival under Moyes and recorded a 1-1 draw at Champions League hopefuls Newcastle last time out.
The Hammers can move up to 14th with a win and 15th with a point depending on results elsewhere.
With rivals such as Everton, Wolves and Leeds pulling off impressive results against the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United it has piled the pressure on West Ham.
West Ham go into the game with a host of players unavailable as confirmed by David Moyes in his pre-match press conference.
We predict boss Moyes makes one West Ham change for Chelsea after big Said Benrahma and Thilo Kehrer calls.
Kehrer came off at half-time at Newcastle with an injury. Moyes said he had a problem – which is believed to be a hamstring issue – but the German did train this week.
Predicted: Boss David Moyes makes one West Ham change for Chelsea after big Said Benrahma and Thilo Kehrer calls
So we expect him to start against Chelsea despite Ben Johnson doing well at right centre-back as his replacement at Newcastle.
We believe the only change will be Said Benrahma – who did not have his best of games at St James’ Park.
As West Ham fans know only too well Moyes is always risk averse. So against the quality Chelsea possess he will want a more disciplined player in there.
Benrahma looks set to be dropped with Pablo Fornals coming in – even though the Spaniard is so much better in the middle of the pitch.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Chelsea:
Fabianski, Coufal, Kehrer, Ogbonna, Aguerd, Emerson, Rice, Paqueta, Fornals, Bowen, Antonio.
Chelsea have won four of the last five league meetings with West Ham.
Pundit Paul Merson has been impressed with the Hammers of late but thinks one star will make the difference.
The official team will be announced at 11.30am.
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