Chelsea have another chance to prop their quest for Europe when they welcome West Ham United in their next Premier League game. The Blues leaped to eighth after a midweek win and are now a place above West Ham. A 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday had Chelsea return to winning ways on the fourth attempt. Goals from Trevoh Chalobah and Nicholas Jackson lifted the gloom that had lately engulfed Stamford Bridge. Here they have the chance to go sixth, after hitting 51 points from 34 matches. Their latest win marked Chelsea’s return at home after three consecutive away matches. Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be happy to have back-to-back home matches, having done well at home. In the last seven home matches, Chelsea are unbeaten, with six wins. In the last two home matches, they won with clean sheets. The hosts have managed two or more goals in eight of their last nine home matches. They’ve lost just once at home in 11 league matches.
West Ham United have failed to match the highs they set last season, but are still in the frame for European football. Heading into this game, they’ve played a game more than Chelsea but trail the Blues by two points. A win here will be key for their European ambitions; a loss would all but end those hopes. Despite playing with a man down in the last 23 matches of the reverse fixture, West Ham managed a 3-1 win over Chelsea. That was their second undefeated game against Chelsea and they’ll be out to make it three here. However, in their last three trips to Stamford Bridge, they suffered defeats. West Ham are also not on a great run coming into this game. They are winless in their last five matches, losing three. The visitors however did well to fight out a 2-2 draw with Liverpool in their last game. A downside in that result is that it marked the fourth time in five matches that they conceded twice or more.
Chelsea have the upper hand coming into this game. Their good run at home will see them approach the game as favorites. West Ham United, on the other hand, have struggled in their recent matches and will be clear underdogs here. It will take a lot for the Hammers to stop Chelsea in their current run. Our prediction for Chelsea v West Ham United is for Chelsea to run out winners.