Preview - Chelsea

All the key info ahead of Saturday's game

The background 


With the Blues falling out of both the FA Cup and the Champions League in their last two matches, there may not be a better time for West Ham United to face Guus Hiddink’s side.
 
And it’s a chance for the Hammers to do the double over their London rivals, having beaten Chelsea, then managed by Jose Mourinho, 2-1 back in October.
 
Goals from Mauro Zarate and Andy Carroll either side of Gary Cahill’s equaliser from a corner secured Slaven Bilic’s side’s sixth league win of the campaign that day.
 
And there will be concerns for the hosts at Stamford Bridge too, with the Hammers in great form having jumped up the league table into fifth.
 
Previous to their defeats to Everton and Paris St. Germain which meant they exited two competitions, Chelsea have just one win from their last five home league matches.
 
Currently sitting down in tenth, Chelsea are set for their lowest league finish in 20 years unless they can catch those four places above them.
 

The history


The Hammers will take on Chelsea for the 105th time on Saturday, with the Blues having edged the previous meetings over the years.
 
This weekend’s hosts have won 47 of those, with West Ham victorious on 38 occasions. The two sides have played out 19 draws.
 
In the last meeting at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea – who went on to win the league – were 2-0 winners with John Terry and Diego Costa grabbing the goals in December 2014.
 

Match info

Team news 


Chelsea 

Diego Costa is banned for the Blues after his red card at Everton last weekend, and Eden Hazard is a doubt.
 
Last season’s champions will also be without Kurt Zouma and Radamel Falcao who are out with long-term problems.

 
West Ham United

The cup-tied Sam Byram missed out at Manchester United last weekend but could return on Saturday, however James Collins and James Tomkins will miss out through injury.
 
Another player unavailable for selection will be Victor Moses, who is ineligible to face his parent club.
 

Match facts

 
  • Robert Madley is referee at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The official has taken charge of 25 games so far this season, issuing 70 bookings and four red cards
  • If West Ham record the victory on Saturday, it will be the first time they have completed the league double over Chelsea since the 2002/03 season
  • The Hammers, however, have only won two of the last seven meetings between the sides
  • The Hammers are unbeaten in their last seven matches (W5, D2)
  • Chelsea have only won three of their last nine outings in all competitions (W3, D3, L3)
  • With Manchester City not playing until Sunday, a win for the Hammers would put them into the top four
 

Ticketing, coverage, travel and other info 

 
  • Away tickets for Saturday’s match have SOLD OUT
  • A cloudy but dry day is expected at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and the temperature will be 8C (46F) at kick-off
  • There will be no district line service between West Ham and Tower Hill due to planned engineering works this weekend, but replacement bus services will operate
  • Supporters should travel to Fulham Broadway if travelling by tube to visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday