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West Ham vs Chelsea: Can Hammers continue impressive home form against Blues?

Fourth take on fifth this Saturday and the outcome could go some way to decide their top four fate.

When: Saturday, April 24, 17:30 GMT

How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event

Follow this game live via our score centre

Best bets

Chelsea to win and both teams to score at 3/1 (Sky Bet)

Jesse Lingard to score at 14/5 (Unibet)

Both teams to score at 19/20 (Unibet)

Who will return to form?

Both teams suffered a minor blip in last week having dropped points to relegation-threatened sides - West Ham losing 3-2 to Newcastle and Chelsea drawing 0-0 at home to Brighton.

David Moyes and Thomas Tuchel are very aware that the season is 38 games long and in a campaign that looks like going to the wire concerning Champions League qualification, both managers will be searching for a positive response from their clubs.

The two managers have undoubtedly overachieved in their tenures and with a top four spot up for grabs, there is still a lot to play for.

Last three Premier League meetings

Chelsea 3-0 West Ham (December 21, 2020)

Back in December, Chelsea strolled past West Ham to move five places above their opponents with 14 games played.

Behind closed doors at Stamford Bridge, Thiago Silva led by example, powering in a header against a statuesque West Ham defence.

Timo Werner then set up Tammy Abraham to tap in after the England international broke West Ham's flimsy offside trap.

Poor defensive errors cost the Hammers, who dominated the ball but paid the price for not managing a single shot on target.

An Abraham brace was confirmed when the striker lurked at the back post and produced a poacher's finish.

West Ham 3-2 Chelsea (July 1, 2020)

West Ham secured their first league double over their London counterparts since the 2002/03 season in a thrilling five-goal game.
In contrast to the way this season has panned out, the victory was crucial for West Ham in their relegation battle, moving them three points clear of the relegation zone.
The home side controversially had a Tomas Soucek goal ruled out by VAR and soon after Chelsea took the lead when Willian stuck away a penalty.
Soucek did get his goal on the stroke of half-time, rising highest to score a header from an inswinging corner.

Jarrod Bowen squared the ball across the face of goal for Michail Antonio to tap in and put the Hammers in a good position.

Frank Lampard's men fought back and Brazilian playmaker Willian got his second of the game when he superbly scored from another dead ball situation - this time direct from a free-kick to level the scores at 2-2.

Substitute Andriy Yarmolenko took advantage of Chelsea over-committing players forward in search of a winner as West Ham counter-attacked and the Ukranian curled into the bottom corner for a crucial winner.

Chelsea 0-1 West Ham (November 30, 2019)

Another close encounter between these two ended with a West Ham victory which ended their seven-game winless run.

David Martin made his West Ham debut, following in his fathers' footsteps who also played for the Hammers. This coincided with the visitors' first clean sheet in two months and a first win at Chelsea in 17 years.

Aaron Cresswell curled in a right-footed shot from inside the box, early in the second period, to give West Ham all three points.

Premier League head-to-head

Played: 49

West Ham won: 14

Draws: 9

Chelsea won: 26

West Ham goals: 47

Chelsea goals: 86

Will injuries put an end to a realistic push for a top four place?

West Ham have suffered injuries in vital positions on the field in recent weeks. The home side will be without Declan Rice, Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell, as they were for the loss to Newcastle. Arthur Masuaku is also absent and Craig Dawson's sending off at the weekend sees him sit this one out.

West Ham manager David Moyes

Considering these players are the backbone of West Ham's success so far this season, it is difficult to envisage them performing similarly to how they have done to date.
David Moyes though, has instilled a belief into his players that any side he picks can achieve a positive result against any opposition.

Points against 'Top Six' clubs this season:

Tottenham 3-3 (A)
Manchester City 1-1 (H)
Tottenham 2-1 (H)
Arsenal 3-3 (H)

West Ham have exceeded expectations this season

West Ham have also been involved in plenty of tight games with so-called 'bigger clubs' losing by only one goal on four occasions this term.

The Hammers go into the game light on players but with plenty of heart. A result is certainly not out of the question.

David Moyes' team are available at 7/2 to be in the top four come the end of the season.

Scoreline prediction: Chelsea 2-1 West Ham

A close game is predicted with West Ham boasting the second best home record this season and Chelsea coming into this game unbeaten in nine consecutive away games.
West Ham have the advantage of freshness, having not played in a week but Chelsea hardly seemed to over-exert themselves in midweek against Brighton.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel

Tuchel's squad depth will allow him to once again rotate, whereas West Ham's line-up is almost confirmed already due to injuries and suspensions.

Astonishingly the Hammers' last four Premier League games have produced 21 goals, and Chelsea can capitalise on defensive frailties this Saturday.

In contrast to Tuesday's game with Brighton, the Blues will be able to dominate the ball and use the width of the London Stadium pitch to create chances in these areas to stretch a makeshift home defence.

Goalscorer bets

Jesse Lingard has been a threat ever since rediscovering his form at West Ham. The Manchester United loanee has nine goals and three assists in only 10 games since his Hammers debut.

Lingard is best priced at 14/5 with Unibet to score once again.

Jesse Lingard has rediscovered his best form with the Hammers

Chelsea midfielder Jorginho could be good value for a goal considering his penalty taking exploits. He has scored 28 penalties in his career and is available at 9/2 to score anytime with BetVictor.

READ MORE: Inter Miami looking to bounce back after LA Galaxy defeat

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