As West Ham United prepare for their second meeting with Chelsea this season at London Stadium, whufc.com takes a look at three key battles which could swing the balance in Monday’s night’s Premier League fixture.
The Hammers were of course victorious last time out against the Blues – goals from Cheikhou Kouyate and Edimilson Fernandes sealed the EFL Cup tie win on a memorable night in east London.
And though Chelsea, so impressive under Antonio Conte this season, currently sit top of the Premier League table, October’s superb success has Slaven Bilic’s men believing they can shock the west Londoners once again.
Starting at the back, two club stalwarts in Winston Reid and Gary Cahill have been pivotal to their respective sides this season.
Reid, who held things together as the Hammers battled through some early season struggles, looks to be forming a solid partnership with new signing Jose Fonte, while Cahill has taken on the captaincy role with great success as John Terry sits out.
It’s clear to see, by the New Zealander’s statistics, how important he is. Making 8.9 clearances on average per match, the centre-back has got rid of the ball on fewer occasions than only Bournemouth’s Steve Cook and Sunderland’s Papy Djilobodji.
Chelsea’s defence this season has also, at times, been impenetrable and with Cahill at its heart, the side have conceded fewer goals than any other team in the top flight.
In midfield, another pair have been hugely influential this season. Pedro Obiang, utilised only at times in his first campaign at the Club, has come into his own this term.
Meanwhile, N’Golo Kante has been marvellous to watch for the last season and a half now, playing a vital role as Leicester City were crowned champions last year and now proving similarly as important for Conte’s team.
The Frenchman, whose best attributes include winning the ball back and getting around the pitch at pace, already looks set to claim back-to-back Premier League titles.
Obiang, on the other hand, may play at a slightly slow and steadier pace, but the Spaniard controls matches for Bilic’s men and bagged his first goal in Claret and Blue recently at Southampton.
Finally, the playmakers; Manuel Lanzini and Cesc Fabregas. Though the latter has not started many of Chelsea’s recent matches, the Spaniard did face Swansea City from the off in the Blues’ last clash, scoring in the 3-1 win. He therefore looks set to keep his place tonight.
For Monday night’s hosts, Lanzini will again be crucial, the responsibility of driving his team forward and creating chances resting on his shoulders.
In 2017, the diminutive Argentine’s form has been excellent with him scoring twice and setting up a double at Middlesbrough.
With Andy Carroll and Diego Costa likely to be lurking in the penalty areas at London Stadium, Lanzini and Fabregas will be looking to provide their teammates with plenty of goalscoring opportunities.