West Ham United travel across London to take on Conte's Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this afternoon, the game will be marked by what will be an emotional tribute to Ray Wilkins who sadly passed away this week. These will probably not be ideal circumstances for David Moyes to sanction, the 'bounce' effect of a stadium full of people willing their team on in memory of a 'fallen' player invariably will see the home team prosper. Of course it can work the other way as well, either way there will be a definite edge to the game which is being televised by Sky, a match both teams need to win for different reasons. A loss for West Ham will drag the team back in to the serious areas of relegation whereas defeat for Chelsea will just about ensure they don't even qualify for the Europa League, but maybe that is a cunning plan to avoid what many see as a pointless competition albeit one that has a Champion's League place as it's ultimate reward.
Hammers will be giving late fitness tests to Manu Lanzini and Angelo Ogbonna ahead of another crucial match in Hammers' attempt to avoid the drop, results elsewhere went well meaning even defeat will still see the club stay in a relatively comfortable 14th place, the relative part of that statement is that all the other clubs at the foot of the Premier League are having issues themselves!
Full team sheets will be posted at 3pm - Ed
Comments
COYI
and Arsenal to win. Cant see our back 4 keeping them out, so we have to score a couple BDQ.