Chelsea frustrated by defensive mistakes, want to avoid losing for the third straight home league game as they welcome West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel's men suffered a disappointing 4-2 defeat made by them against Arsenal in the London derby whereas West Ham had to come from behind to share the spoils with manager-less Burnley last weekend.
CHL vs WHU Match Details
Date: Sunday, 24 April 2022
Time: 14:00 (BST)/ 18:30 (IST)
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
CHL vs WHU Match Preview
Another day, another home game for Chelsea. Thomas Tuchel's men are about to play their third game at Stamford Bridge in all competitions, all of which have resulted in a loss. Facing a dejected Arsenal in their lacklustre form the Blues' unfolded a horror show defensively gifting their rivals a chance to cut off their three games winless run at a crucial period. The win was essential for the Gunners to launch themselves back in the title race and they followed it with a 3-1 win over Manchester United. When their London counterparts started having parties again, Thomas Tuchel was left questioning his players for lacking self-confidence and belief because of the mistakes they committed in the 4-2 loss. To make matters worse, Chelsea could well be drawn into the mix for the top four if they continue to lose points. They carry a five points difference sitting in third. The immediate task for Tuchel will be to improve their terrible home form. Chelsea cannot afford to lose a third home league game in a row. Now West Ham is in their backyard with the fight for continental football on them as well, pressure is slowly piling up for the European champions. However, their excellent record over the Hammers is something to cherish.
David Moyes's side have won only once in their last 15 travels to Stamford Bridge but this time they could be optimistic to improve that number. Their current form over the Blues can help them through with three wins out of five including a 3-2 win previously in this campaign. West Ham enters a defining period for their season in the chase for Europa League football at least with Arsenal and Manchester City still to play after this along with their double legged semifinal with Eintracht Frankfurt in that competition. Understanding balancing European football with the league took a toll on their form as the Hammers have won only once in their last four in Premier League. Their last outing ended 1-1 at home to Burnley but the concerning part of losing yet another defender in Issa Diop after the game. The Hammers have only Craig Dawson as their only senior center back. Moyes could only hope the injuries don't throw them off the cliff in this period of demand. Playing one game more than Manchester United and one less than Tottenham, West Ham are two and five points off their closest challengers for Europe. Aside from trying to win the Europa League, their priority has to be secure the fifth or sixth spot without rescinding. It will be a tasty affair.
Recent Form (all competitions)
Chelsea: LWWWL
West Ham: DWLDW
CHL vs WHU Team News
West Ham lost yet another center back in the form of Issa Diop this time with a ligament injury keeping him out for the rest of the season. He joins Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma on the list of absences. It leaves the Hammers with only one senior center back in Craig Dawson. Manager David Moyes said Declan Rice can be filled into the role with other players in the midfield doing it for him. Other central defenders, Ajibola Alese and Jamal Baptiste are young and yet to make their senior debuts for the club.
Chelsea have a host of injuries to be worried about ahead of the fixture. Andreas Christensen was withdrawn at halftime citing some concerns not related to his poor show in the opening 45 minutes. Antonio Rudiger was left out of the squad to face Arsenal because of a groin injury. Tuchel said he is unlikely to play on Sunday. Mateo Kovacic is out for two weeks after his ankle injury in the FA Cup semifinal.
CHL vs WHU Expected Lineups
Chelsea: Edouard Mendy; Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Timo Werner
West Ham: Lukasz Fabianski; Ben Johnson, Craig Dawson, Declan Rice, Aaron Cresswell, Pablo Fornals, Manuel Lanzini, Tomas Soucek, Jarrod Bowen, Said Benrahma, Michail Antonio
CHL vs WHU Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Mendy (8.5)
DEF: James (9), Dawson (9), Silva (9), Alonso (9)
MID: Soucek (9), Mount (9.5), Rice (9.5)
FW: Bowen (9.5), Werner (9), Havertz (9)
