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Who would have thought Chelsea vs West Ham would have been the feature match of the EPL Boxing Day round? But here we are and the Hammers are heading to Stamford Bridge to wreck Chelsea’s Christmas festivities. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 11.45pm AEDT
West Ham is fourth on the table and takes on top placed Chelsea. Incredibly West Ham have won four and drawn one in their last five games and must feel like they need to justify their lofty position on the ladder.
Meanwhile their recent record even shades Chelsea’s three wins one draw and one loss. I feel West Ham’s position is inflated due to a good home record and they will find it much harder away to the top team.
Chelsea will have earmarked this game out of their three Christmas fixtures to maximise full points as the next two games are away from home. Likewise West Ham returns home for more favourable fixtures against Arsenal and West Brom.
Sam Allardyce is backing his West Ham side to continue their fine form when they face London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal this week.
West Ham held Jose Mourinho’s side to a goalless draw when the two sides met at Stamford Bridge last season and Allardyce does not fear a trip to west London.
He told the club’s official website: “It’s a nice time to be playing Chelsea and Arsenal. Our draw away at Chelsea last season was our turning point, from then we kicked on and stayed up. So it was huge.
“They’re two tough games but we have earned the right to have a go at both them.”
Sam Allardyce has only two wins in 21 Premier League games as Manager against Chelsea. West Ham last won at Stamford Bridge in 2002 in the Premier League.
West Ham’s leading players are Stewart Downing who has hit a purple patch in midfield with four goals this year and they also have Sakho back from injury upfront and firing seven goals in this season.
Chelsea’s defence has been terrific. John Terry and Gary Cahill joined by attacking full backs Ivanovic and Azpilicueta keep numerous clean sheets.
Then moving forward Hazard, Fabregas and Diego Costa are a handful for any away side.
The betting has the Hammers at $9.00 and I feel they have got this right because Chelsea are primed and ready to assert their authority and go on and win the League like so many clubs before them who have been on top at Christmas.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
Chelsea to set up 2015 and continue on their Merry Christmas way by piercing the West Ham bubble and blowing them away on Boxing Day .
Join The Roar Friday at 11.45pm for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
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