Chelsea Should Expect A Battle From West Ham On Boxing Day
Jose Mourihno's Chelsea Football Club will be on top of the league come Christmas Day but his wards will again prepare for battle come Boxing Day. Next in their way is Sam Allardyce's West Ham at Stamford Bridge, who themselves are having a fantastic season currently at number four on the table just a point behind the third placed Manchester United FC.
Chelsea FC are in great form themselves. In the last five matches they have won the last four and lost the other. Their only defeat was away to Newcastle on Dec. 6th with a two one score line. At home they have been subline and yet to drop any points in the Barclays Premier League this season. The only cause for concern is the unavailability of their second top scorer Eden Hazard who has been out with ankle/foot injury without any specific return date. New signings Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas have fitted into the side like a glove and Didier Drogba has not looked out of place in his return to the club.
West Ham United are also having a season to cherish. After 17 matches they are fourth on the league table. With nine wins and five draws out of the 17 matches they are on 31 points, two ahead of the fifth placed Southampton and one behind Manchester United. In their last five encounters they have won four and drawn the other away to Sunderland. Their last defeat was more than a month back, away to Everton. The only other away defeat so far this season has been away to Manchester United, back in September, with a two one score line. Diafra Sakho has been phenomenal for the Hammers with his seven league goals, highest for the club so far.
In the last 10 meetings between the two sides Chelsea have won six, there have been three draws and a single win for West Ham. At the Stamford Bridge Chelsea have won three out of the five and the remaining two were draws. The last corresponding meeting earlier this year resulted in a goal less draw. As impressive as the record might sound Mourihno should accept a tough physical battle on the cards from Allardyce's technically and tacticaly strong squad.