Frank Lampard will make an emotional return to West Ham this week in the rearranged midweek fixture. The £12m former Hammer has had a quiet start to his Chelsea career, but the reception will be anything but on Wednesday, as the club's reinstated hero Don Hutchison looks to play Lampard out of the match and secure a second win in a row for the east Londoners.
It has been an impressive return to his old haunt for Hutchison. Although results have rarely been going the way of the Hammers lately, it has been widely accepted that things would have been far worse without Hutchison in the centre for the club, as his more than acceptable tally of 182 successful passes attests to.
Lampard has found a colleague on fewer occasions, although he has played less football than the former Sunderland man. Furthermore, while Hutchison is yet to directly set up a West Ham colleague for a goal, the Chelsea midfielder has provided a goal assist for both Mario Stanic against Southampton and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink against Tottenham.
Lampard is yet to open his own account for the Blues in the Premiership, having hit the target with just one of his five attempts. His last league goal was for the Hammers, in April against Newcastle, although he has scored for his new club in this season's UEFA Cup.
Hutchison meanwhile has found the net for his new team - he scored in their fine 3-0 win over Newcastle at Upton Park. However, only a third of his attempts have been hit accurately, and he will be hoping to come across a dodgy 'keeper or two in the coming weeks to improve his strike rate. Either that or he could improve his shooting.
An important aspect of both players' games is their ability to win back possession for their side to get attacks underway. The West Ham man has amassed the second-highest number of successful tackles in the side, and has done more than the vast majority of other players in the side to ensure the Hammers remain in their various games.
Lampard meanwhile has had a quieter time of it. He has won the ball just eight times so far - a tally that is likely to disappoint the player, given his impressive haul of challenges for the Hammers last term. Although he usually enjoys more possession than he ever did at Upton Park.
A known fan of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire', Lampard will be hoping that he wins as many 50/50 balls in the centre for Chelsea this week.
It may seem like a tall order on current form for West Ham to secure the three points in this derby game, but if the likes of Hutchison and Paolo di Canio are up for it then anything is possible. However, Hammers Bet are offering 70/1 on Lampard opening the scoring, and helping his side on their way to a 2-0 away win.
Chris Green.