West Ham United showed plenty of character against table-topping Manchester City at Etihad Stadium last weekend but a fourth defeat in five Premier League matches does not make good reading for David Moyes' men.
On Saturday afternoon, Chelsea travel across the capital to take on the Hammers at London Stadium and, in sharp contrast to the hosts, Antonio Conte’s charges have gone eight matches without defeat in domestic competition.
The Blues were forced to settle for a share of the spoils against Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League on Tuesday night - a result that cost Chelsea top spot in Group C - but the Premier League champions will be confident enough of making an immediate return to winning ways against the out-of-sorts Hammers.
IAN KINGTON
Chelsea crashed out of the League Cup at London Stadium last season, beaten 2-1 by the Hammers, but Conte’s men came out on top when they won at the same venue in the Premier League and the Blues can be backed at just 1/2 (1.50) with Paddy Power to take all three points against their relegation-threatened hosts.
West Ham have won just one of their last five fixtures on home soil but there is no doubt that victory here would represent a significant step forward in their scrap for survival; Paddy Power go 11/2 (6.50) that Moyes enjoys his first win since taking up the reins in east London, while the odds compilers offer 16/5 (4.20) that these two teams settle for a share of the spoils.
Each of the last three fixtures between these teams has ended 2-1 and Paddy Power go 7/1 (8.0) that it is Chelsea who are celebrating a third successive such triumph against the Hammers in the Premier League, while the same firm go 18/1 (19.0) that the hosts claim bragging rights with a win by the same scoreline.
There have been goals at both ends in each of the last five matches that these rivals have contested and Paddy Power go 10/11 (1.91) that the trend continues in this clash; the same firm offer 4/5 (1.80) that there are, at least, three goals scored when these teams lock horns.
It is worth noting, though, that there have been goals at both ends in just one of the last 13 competitive matches that West Ham United have won on home turf – a run of results that stretches back to the beginning of last season – while both teams have scored in just one of the Blues’ last five matches on their travels.
There is plenty of potential, then, for a tight, tense tussle and that prospect will certainly not concern the visitors as Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six victories in all competitions, and it is that defensive discipline that could give Conte’s charges the edge in east London.
The 7/5 (2.40) quote, therefore, for the Blues to win to nil may represent good value for punters ahead of Saturday’s showdown.
Chelsea to win to nil at 7/5 (2.40) for a 1pt stake with Paddy Power 
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