We’re heading towards yet another London derby, this time between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Olympic Stadium.
The Blues come into this match in a brilliant league form, winning eight of their last nine games (D1, L0). Meanwhile the Hammers are still struggling to find their first win under their new boss David Moyes, drawing once and losing three times in their last four fixtures.
Chelsea are clear favourites for tomorrow’s game, but Antonio Conte is still expected to line up his side with a very strong team.
Here’s how we believe Chelsea will form up against West Ham:
GOALKEEPER –
Thibaut Courtois: Has been in very good form recently and is most likely to remain between the sticks tomorrow.
DEFENDERS –
Cezar Azpilicueta: The Mr. Consistent will start again on Saturday as he was already given a rest last week at home against Swansea – something that he doesn’t usually even need.
Andreas Christensen: With David Luiz still out with a knee injury, Christensen will be allowed another great chance to cement his place in Conte’s first-team plans.
Antonio Rudiger: Captain Gary Cahill could be given a rest tomorrow as him and Rudiger have been often rotated between each other by Conte.
WING BACKS –
Marcos Alonso: No competitor in that position, so he’ll keep on going. Made a costly mistake against Newcastle last time out, so will need to step up from that tomorrow.
Victor Moses: We’re unlikely to see Davide Zappacosta starting after such an impressive come-back display from Moses last weekend, as he earned two assists to his name in the 3-1 win over Newcastle.
MIDFIELDERS –
N’Golo Kante: Our number one midfielder, not going to be dropped.
Tiemoue Bakayoko: It should have been Danny Drinkwater in the line-up instead of Bakayoko, but due to illness the Englishman has been ruled out of tomorrow’s clash. As Frank Lampard and Michael Owen already criticized following the Frenchman’s poor display against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday’s Champions League game, Bakayoko still has a lot to work on if he wants to become a first-team regular. This could be the perfect chance to prove the pundits wrong, no?
Hope he’s drinking enough water.
— Daniel Doran (@DTMM90) December 8, 2017
Cesc Fabregas: The former Barcelona star will start in an advanced role in tomorrow’s three-man midfield.
FORWARDS –
Eden Hazard: The Belgian is hotter than ever at the moment following yet another Man of the Match performance against Newcastle last weekend. He also helped Chelsea to a 1-1 draw against Atleti on Tuesday and will surely play a big part again tomorrow. Just can’t wait to see him play again!
Alvaro Morata: Got back to scoring ways last weekend with his winning goal against Newcastle, but missed a great chance to win the game for Chelsea on Tuesday. He also hurt himself in this morning’s training session, but it’s understood that he’s fit to face the Hammers tomorrow. Perhaps we can see a bit more of Michy Batshuayi in the later stages of the game should Morata struggle with fitness.
How would you line up your Chelsea side against West Ham tomorrow?
