Derby Weekend - Sunday: Chelsea out to settle two scores with West Ham
Seven games remain the 2017/18 English Premier League season. Time is running out for the Blues to book a Champions League spot by making it into the top four and the Hammers have to continue fighting tooth and nail in every single match to stay alive in England’s top flight. Realistically, top four might now be out of reach for Chelsea who sit in 5th, eight points behind Spurs who humbled them to a 3-1 defeat at the bridge, last timeout.
Heading into this match, it will be about two things for Chelsea; avenging their 1-0 loss at West Ham in December 2017 and secondly restoring some pride. They have fallen to several London opponents this campaign including Crystal Palace, Arsenal in the Carabao Cup and most recently Spurs. The Champions will need to make a statement and give the fans something especially now that a trophyless season might be dawning given that they will have to beat Spurs in the FA cup semi-final should they want a chance to get their hands on some silverware. Antonio Conte’s men will be boosted by the return of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and the Spaniard, Pedro from injury.
West Ham will be without Michail Antonio, who will miss the rest of the season following his injury in their 3-0 win demolishing of strugglers Southampton. The possible return of talisman Manuel Lanzini is, however, an exciting prospect for the Hammers fans.
Manager remarks:
“We have to try to do everything to continue to have the possibility to fight for a place in the Champions League. It won’t be easy, we have to be realistic, but at the same time we have to give all of ourselves. We must show pride, desire, will to fight until the end of the season - this must be our target now.”
“We’ll go there and give them great respect but with a game-plan to bring points back here to West Ham. They have to win all their games as a top club so don’t think for a minute that they will switch off. We have to hope we catch them on an off-day and we perform well. If we do, I hope we can give them a really good game.”
