Chelsea Match Preview
In his two spells in charge of West Ham United, David Moyes only lost one match at home to Chelsea. Can Julen Lopetegui take that record forward when he goes up against the Blues in Saturday’s early kick-off?
The Hammers are yet to get up and running in Stratford but if their new Head-Coach can engineer another result here, then it will provide the perfect start to what is a big week for all concerned with the East London club, as the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie with current holders Liverpool at Anfield is on the horizon in midweek.
Last weekend’s late point at Fulham must have put the squad in good spirits ahead of the second of three consecutive Premier League London derbies.
Another season has gone by and Chelsea are under yet another Head-Coach, as former Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the home dugout at Stamford Bridge this summer and whilst Maresca has seen his team produce some indifferent results in West London, they are unbeaten away from home and secured a 1-0 victory at AFC Bournemouth last Saturday night. With both teams having to deal with extra games in the week, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top here.
Niclas Füllkrug, Lucas Paquetá, Danny Ings and Crysencio Summerville are all being considered by Lopetegui as options for selection, if the Spaniard decides he wants to make changes. The places of Tomáš Souček, Michail Antonio and Guido Rodríguez are all thought to be under serious threat. Carlos Soler could also be in contention for his first start in Claret and Blue.
Emerson Palmieri will have to be assessed after being taken off against the Cottagers with a knock. If the former Chelsea player is not fit enough however, then either Aaron Cresswell, or Vladimír Coufal will deputise.
The match is a 12:30pm kick-off with live coverage being screened by TNT Sports from 11am. Following the main match coverage, a further half hour of reaction will then be available on TNT Sports 4 from 2:45pm. The referee is Sam Barrott.