The main topics for discussion ahead of Wednesday's historic EFL Cup fourth-round tie with Chelsea at London Stadium...
A historic occasion
There have seemingly been a succession of ‘historic’ moments for West Ham United in 2016, with a succession of ‘final’ events at the Boleyn Ground being followed by a succession of ‘first’ events at London Stadium.
Tonight, the Hammers’ new home will host its very first London derby – we are not counting the Watford Premier League fixture – when Chelsea visit in the EFL Cup fourth round.
The tie will not only mark this landmark, but it will also be attended by the largest League Cup crowd in the Club’s history, with a crowd of around 45,000 eclipsing the 40,878 who attended the fourth-round visit of Liverpool to the Boleyn Ground on 27 October 1971.
Strong
Slaven Bilic has repeatedly stated that he sees the EFL Cup as a competition to target this season, which makes perfect sense seeing as West Ham are out of Europe and are unlikely to win the Premier League title.
With those circumstances in mind, and an extra day to rest ahead of Sunday’s trip to Everton, the Croatian is expected to field virtually his strongest-available team on Wednesday evening.
Aaron Cresswell is back from suspension, and will slot in somewhere on the left flank, while Ireland hero Darren Randolph could return from a minor knee injury to retain his position as the Club’s knockout No1.
Up front, Simone Zaza looks set to be given a chance to shine against his former Italy manager Antonio Conte
Ayew ready for this?
Andre Ayew looks set to return to the West Ham squad for the first time since suffering a groin injury on his debut at… Chelsea in August.
Hammers forwards have yet to score a competitive goal this season, so the availability of the Ghana star will undoubtedly strengthen Slaven Bilic’s firepower.
Ayew may not be an out-and-out striker, but the 26-year-old has netted 90 career goals for club and country and is a threat to both create chances and put them away himself.
Chelsea, Chelsea
The Blues stuttered out of the blocks in their opening Premier League game with the Hammers back in August, needing a late winner from Diego Costa – who might well have earlier been sent-off for a late challenge on Adrian – to sneak a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.
Since then, Chelsea have seemingly improved under new manager Antonio Conte, particularly since he opted to revert to his favoured three-at-the-back formation.
A 3-0 win over champions Leicester City was followed by Sunday’s 4-0 demolition of Manchester United, albeit both on home turf, and Chelsea will arrive in east London full of confidence.
Victor
Last season, Victor Moses was something of an enigma during his season-long loan with West Ham.
The Nigeria winger sparkled on occasion, most notably in scoring an outstanding goal in the Hammers’ Premier League win at Manchester City, but failed to hold down a regular starting place due to the form of right winger Michail Antonio.
This season, Moses has been employed in a less familiar right wing-back role by new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, with encouraging results.
Moses appears to be fulfilling his undoubted potential, and he will have a small point to prove against his former club tonight.