Prediction: West Ham vs Chelsea

Verdict: Chelsea win and under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to move one step closer to securing another top-four finish, Chelsea have a golden opportunity to extend on their recent run when they travel to the London Stadium on Wednesday night.

West Ham

Starting with the hosts, hit with yet another 2-0 defeat away at another London rival in Spurs last week, West Ham find themselves in the midst of what has been a shambolic run of form. With only their goal difference keeping them outside the bottom-three, David Moyes’ men have lost each of their last three Premier League matchups on the bounce and have managed to land just a single win across any competition since New Year’s Day. With the mood around the London Stadium at a continued low and with an ever-growing reputation for their issues on home soil, there is no doubt that the former Manchester United boss will be most concerned by his side’s rather glaring issues in the final third. Drawing another blank against Tottenham last time out, the Hammers have now failed to land a single Premier League strike in over 300 minutes of action, their worst attacking return of the season so far. Even more worrying for Wednesday’s hosts, they have managed to record just a single shot on target in both of their two defeats since returning from the enforced break.

Team News

While the trio of Sebastien Haller, Arthur Masuaku and Angelo Ogbonna are inching closer to a return, David Moyes have confirmed that all three will miss Chelsea’s arrival on Wednesday.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, booking their spot in the semi-final of this year’s FA Cup thanks to a 1-0 win away at Leicester on Sunday afternoon, Chelsea find themselves in the midst of a real purple patch. Now within touching distance of climbing up to third, Frank Lampard’s side have won their last five matches across all competitions and will undoubtedly be boosted by what was a stunning display at Stamford Bridge last week. Handing Liverpool their first Premier League title thanks to a 2-1 win against now-former champions Manchester City in the capital, the former England midfielder will be growing more impressed by his side’s recent displays on the road. Including battling from a goal down to snatch a 2-1 win away at another relegation scrapper in Aston Villa, the Royal Blues have lost just one of their last nine matches outside of West London, a run that has seen them pick up victories over both Arsenal and Spurs. With Lampard’s youngsters really laying down a marker since returning from the enforced break, Wednesday’s guests will make the trip across the capital filled with confidence.

Team News

Christian Pulisic is a doubt for the Blues with a calf problem sustained in Sunday’s FA Cup win over Leicester.

The in-form American will be assessed along with defender Andreas Christensen, who has a hip problem.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off earlier in the season, West Ham picked up a shock 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
• However, the Hammers have lost five of their last six Premier League matchups and have won just one contest since New Year’s Day.
• Chelsea have won their last five matches across all competitions and have also bagged over 1.5 goals in each of their last five Premier League appearances.
• The Hammers have failed to record a single goal in any of their previous three defeats, their worst run of the season so far.
• Each of the last five meetings between the two sides have seen under 2.5 goals by the final whistle.

Conclusion

On paper, Chelsea should see their trip to the London Stadium as a golden chance to extend on their stellar run of form. Still boosted by their 2-1 win against Manchester City last week and also booking their spot in the semi-final of this year’s FA Cup, a West Ham side in crisis could be in for another long night. With only their goal difference keeping them outside the drop zone and losing their last three Premier League matches on the bounce, the Hammers have landed just a sole win across any format since New Year’s Day. With the Blues really starting to shine on the road, we’re backing a routine win for Frank Lampard’s youngsters in midweek.

Verdict: Chelsea win and under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: Bet365