This week’s London derby sees West Ham visit Stamford Bridge for a mouthwatering clash against Chelsea as both sides look to continue their promising start to the Premier League season.
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To gather an insight into the minds of the two sets of fans we asked members of the respective supporters’ clubs to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.
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ANDREW O’BRIEN – CHELSEA UAE SUPPORTERS CLUB
If you told Jose Mourinho in August that come Christmas his side would be three points clear at the top of the league, with places secured in the last 16 of the Champions League and a semi-final berth in the Capital One Cup, surely even the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ would be satisfied.
The Blues have steadied the ship since suffering a shock defeat at Newcastle earlier this month, brushing aside Sporting Lisbon, Hull, Derby and Stoke in the interim and will be brimming with confidence heading into this much-anticipated bout at Stamford Bridge.
Eden Hazard looks to have recovered from a knock he sustained on Monday night at Stoke and is expected to be fit to start. Oscar is expected to come in for Jon Obi Mikel, which should see Cesc Fabregas slip back in alongside the in-form Nemanja Matic.
Despite the neutral hoping for a high-scoring Christmas classic, of which the Bridge has seen many down through the years, I wouldn’t hold out much hope for a Mourinho side opening up and leaving themselves exposed at the back. Chelsea will be looking to take all three points from the London derby, but it certainly won’t be easy.
Score prediction: Chelsea 2-0 West Ham. Chelsea to put the game to bed as the hammers go in search of an equaliser.
Likely line-up: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Matic, Fabregas, Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Costa.
Chelsea player to watch – NEMANJA MATIC: He will have a key role to play, screening the back four and in particular helping Gary Cahill and John Terry in their quest to nulify the aerial threat of Andy Carroll.
Last five league matches: Chelsea W D W L W.
Top scorers (all club competitions): Diego Costa (Chelsea) 12.
RICHARD REYNOLDS – DUBAI HAMMERS SUPPORTERS CLUB
I reluctantly admit that yes, I was part of the ‘Big Sam Out Brigade’ and I’m happily (and ecstatically) eating humble pie as we currently sit in fourth place in the league. I don’t think any other side has done better business than the Irons this year. The dynamic duo of Enner Valencia and in particular Diafra Sakho have grabbed the headlines for their goals but it’s only prudent to give Cheikhou Kouyate, Carl Jenkinson, Aaron Cresswell and Alex Song the credit they deserve for their introduction into the starting 11.
It’s been incredibly refreshing to see West Ham play a more attractive form of football and perhaps the main beneficiary of this has been the rejuvenation of Stuart Downing. Evidence of this is that the only players to yield more points than the English international in fantasy this year are Sergio Augero, Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez.
Chelsea are the most complete side in the League this year. It’s getting frustrating to hear Chelsea fans trying to play down the team’s ‘favourites’ tag. They’ve got no clear weaknesses. Depth, experience, talent, the best manager in the league – the works.
Yet in saying that I fancy us to grab a point here. We robbed a point there last year which was met with a Jose Mourinho post-game rant, much to Big Sam’s amusement and we’re going to do the same this Boxing day.
David Gold, the West Ham chairman, actually went out of his way to tweet praise to the Hammers physio team as the squad is completely fit with Mark Noble returning from an achilles injury that has kept him sidelined since November.
The whole squad is fit and available for selection nice problem for Sam. Well done Stijn @stijnvdb and the physio team. dg
— David Gold (@davidgold) December 24, 2014
Score prediction: Chelsea 1– 1 West Ham. Big Andy Carroll to salvage a point for the Irons after an (undeserved) first-half Eden Hazard penalty.
Likely line-up: Adrian, Jenkinson, Reid, Collins, Cresswell, Song, Kouyate, Noble, Downing, Sakho, Carroll.
West Ham player to watch – ALEX SONG: Song has been sensational this year but he’ll need to be at his most prominent against the best midfield pairing in the league.
Last five league matches: West Ham W W W D W.
Top scorers (all club competitions): Diafra Sakho 8.
