Premier League: Chelsea v West Ham match preview

A look ahead to this week’s Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho gestures from the touchline (Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images)

Chelsea take on West Ham on Wednesday in their first Premier League match since the transfer of Juan Mata to rivals Manchester United. Although rarely a feature in Mourinho’s starting XI this season, Mata is sure to missed amongst supporters after an impressive Chelsea spell. The Blues face a West Ham team that sit third from bottom of the Premier League table. All three cubs in the relegation zone have 18 points, with West Ham topping this group on goal difference.

Chelsea remain only two points down from League leaders Arsenal and will need every victory they can get if they are to win the title for the first time since the 2009/10 season. The Hammers will face a Chelsea team that hasn’t lost at Stamford Bridge this season and have won their last seven games with a goal difference of 12. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has experienced several heavy losses in recent weeks so a victory over Chelsea may just take the pressure off his team for at least a few more days.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS…

West Ham 0 Chelsea 3 (Lampard (2), Oscar), Premier League, November 2013

Chelsea 2 (Lampard, Hazard) West Ham 0, Premier League, March 2013

West Ham 3 (Cole, Diame, Maiga) Chelsea 1 (Mata), Premier League, December 2012

Chelsea 3 (Lampard, Torres, Malouda) West Ham 0, Premier League, April 2011

STATS…

Chelsea have won 12 and lost just one of the last 15 Premier League meetings with the Hammers.

West Ham have hit the target with just 35% of their shots this season, the lowest accuracy of any team in the Barclays Premier League.

Frank Lampard has scored five goals in his last five Premier League games against West Ham.

The Hammers have made the second most crosses from open play this season (418, behind Man Utd – 423) and have the best completion rate of any side (22.5%).

ODDS…

Chelsea to win: 1.18

West Ham to win: 15.0

Draw: 6.5

TV: Highlights on BBC 1 at 10.35pm