West Ham vs Chelsea: Saturday, 12:30pm
West Ham’s recent run of results suggests they may well have turned the corner this season after a torrid start to the campaign.
David Moyes’ key players were just not performing, but the Hammers boss has now started to get a tune from the likes of Jarrod Bowen. That has led to wins at Everton and Derby and last weekend’s impressive draw at Newcastle.
The Hammers have still only got one win in their last nine Premier League games, but the signs on Tyneside were good. They surrendered possession but carved out more shots and more shots on target than their high-flying rivals and could have won the game on another day.
Moyes gave his charges a pat on the back after they became the first team to score past Nick Pope in league action since Southampton in early November.
It’s a result that could change West Ham’s season and they will be full of confidence against a Chelsea side who have looked like a team of individuals.
Moyes’ men have four home wins to date, but a victory over their west London rivals will be the biggest scalp so far this season.
Statistically, at home the Hammers have been decent enough with an xG of 1.6, while only five teams have a better xGA than their 1.28. So another good showing is not solely based on their efforts at Newcastle, they have in fact been solid enough without picking up the home points.
Chelsea will arrive with just one win in their last six matches in the Premier League. Scoring goals has been a real problem for Graham Potter’s side, drawing the last two games 0-0.
They have scored just nine goals from 11 games away from home and have failed to win a league match away since mid-October.
Their latest match against Fulham was far from impressive, despite having 67% possession.
They really struggled to link their midfield to their attack and rarely looked like scoring against their west London rivals.
Potter admitted afterwards: “We have to gel and become a really good team. That’s where the work is.”
But unless he has worked miracles over the last week, it’s unlikely they will show much more cohesion.
Without much substance, they are the favourites for the game, but their form really is not fitting of a 5/4 chance. They also have a number of injury problems, although Joao Felix is available after suspension.
They do have a decent record against West Ham, winning four of the last five games between the sides. But after a deeper delve into their away games, West Ham have actually won five of the last eight on home soil against the Blues.
There are likely to be few goals, but West Ham look primed to get their season into full swing with a home win at decent odds.
Key stats
- There have been under 2.5 goals scored in eight of Chelsea’s last nine PL games
- Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in their last three PL matches (Premier League)
- There have been under 2.5 goals scored in West Ham’s last three PL games
- Chelsea have won four of the last five meetings between the sides
- West Ham have won five of their last eight home games against Chelsea
Suggested bets
*Prices subject to fluctuation.
