Premier League Preview: West Ham United - Chelsea

Kick Off: Sunday, December 20th, 16:00 GMT
Upton Park, London

May, 2003. The last time West Ham United were victorious over Chelsea.

However, given Chelsea's current form, perhaps this is the right time for West Ham to pick up that elusive win.

The Blues ended a win-less streak against Portsmouth on Wednesday night thanks to a late Frank Lampard penalty.

Carlo Ancelotti will have been pleased with the amount of chances the Blues created despite passing up far too many opportunities for his liking.

But what the Italian doesn't want, or need, is a poor run of form in the lead-up to the Champions League showdown with Inter Milan.

Ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho would love to be able to swan into town at a time when his old side are once more harking back to the days when he was leading them.

Keeping the Italian-Chelsea connection is Chelsea favorite and current West Ham manager Zola, whose worry at the moment is fighting relegation.

Though in saying that, the Hammers have proven to be able opponents against London rivals thus far this season; many will remember Arsenal throwing away a two-goal lead in the East End not too long ago.

This could be one of those encounters that has the punters wavering over at the bookies. A result for the favorites should certainly not be odds on for this one.

FORM GUIDE

West Ham United

Dec 12: Birmingham 1-0 West Ham United
Dec 15: Bolton 3-1 West Ham United
Dec 05: West Ham 0-4 Manchester United
Nov 28: West Ham 5-3 Burnley
Nov 21: Hull City 3-3 West Ham

Chelsea

Dec 16: Chelsea 2-1 Portsmouth
Dec 12: Chelsea 3-3 Everton
Dec 08: Chelsea 2-2 APOEL
Dec 05: Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea
Dec 02: Blackburn Rovers 3-3 Chelsea

TEAM NEWS

West Ham United

West Ham have defender Matthew Upson and striker Luis Jimenez back injury, but Kieron Dyer (hamstring) joins Carlton Cole, Valon Behrami, Zavon Hines (all knee) on the sidelines.

West Ham United (probable, 4-4-2): Green; Spector, Da Costa, Upson, Ilunga, Collison, Parker, Kovac, Stanislas, Franco, Diamanti.

Chelsea

Didier Drogba returns after missing the win over Portsmouth, and Ricardo Carvalho is expected to replace Alex in defence, with Joe Cole coming in for Deco.

Chelsea (probable, 4-1-2-1-2): Cech; Ivanovich, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole, Mikel, Deco, Lampard, J Cole, Anelka, Drogba

PLAYERS TO WATCH

West Ham United – Matthew Upson

The central defender returns from injury, and much of the focus will be on him after reports on Friday suggested London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are set to test West Ham's resolve with an £8 million bid. A stunning performance at the back against Chelsea may just push him closer to the exit door.

Chelsea – Frank Lampard

The England midfielder may have been on the scoresheet on Wednesday after converting the late penalty, but Lamps was the main villain as far as passing up chances go. A man of his pride won't take a second game of missing chance after chance though, and at a ground where he isn't exactly a fans favorite, he'll be doubly determined to ensure he puts one away.

PREDICTION

Chelsea aren't exactly the Premier League's form side just now, but compared to West Ham they're flying. It's a sticky fixture for them and one many will be looking for them to slip up in again, but with players coming back they should have enough to pull through and further their title ambitions.

Prediction: West Ham United 0-1 Chelsea

Andrew Southwick, Goal.com