West Ham and Chelsea meet on Saturday in a clash where any winner would have a huge advantage in the battle for the top four in the final handful of games in the Premier League.
The Hammers currently occupy fifth place in the table while the Blues are fourth, with the teams only separated by goal difference. Both sides currently sit four points behind third-placed Leicester but just two ahead of Tottenham and Liverpool, in the tightest top four race in recent memory.
West Ham have won three of their last six games in the Premier League and scored three goals in each of their last four, but have struggled defensively conceding ten times in those games too.
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— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 22, 2021
Chelsea on the other hand have won just three of their last eight league games and need to find some momentum once more to gain an advantage in the race for Champions League football.
A rare six-pointer at the top end of the table, here is the 90min preview.
Where to watch on TV
When is the match? Saturday 24 April
What time is kick off? 17:30 (BST)
Where is it being played? London Stadium
TV Channel? Sky Sports Premier League (UK), fuboTV (US)
Referee? Chris Kavanagh
VAR? Peter Bankes
West Ham team news
David Moyes will be hoping Aaron Cresswell returns from injury to slot back into defence, with Craig Dawson suspended following his red card at Newcastle. Arthur Masuaku is also a doubt, meaning Ben Johnson should continue at left wing-back, while Declan Rice and Michail Antonio are still absent.
Chelsea team news
Thomas Tuchel rested several players in the game against Brighton on Tuesday night following the FA Cup semi-final. Edouard Mendy, Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell and N'Golo Kante are all fit and available, although with Tuchel's rotation policy it remains to be seen if they will start.
Reece James started both of those games and with Real Madrid to come in midweek, Callum Hudson-Odoi could come in at right wing-back, while Timo Werner will be hoping to get back in the starting lineup with Kai Havertz struggling to have a regular impact. Mateo Kovacic is the only absentee through a knee injury.
Predicted lineups
West Ham: Fabianski; Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Coufal, Soucek, Noble, Johnson; Fornals, Lingard; Bowen
Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Zouma; Hudson-Odoi, Kante, Jorginho, Chilwell; Mount, Werner, Ziyech
West Ham recent form
Newcastle 3-2 West Ham (17/4) - Premier League
West Ham 3-2 Leicester (11/4) - Premier League
Wolves 2-3 West Ham (5/4) - Premier League
West Ham 3-3 Arsenal (21/3) - Premier League
Man United 1-0 West Ham (14/3) - Premier League
Chelsea recent form
Chelsea 0-0 Brighton (20/4) - Premier League
Chelsea 1-0 Man City (17/4) - FA Cup semi-final
Chelsea 1-0 Porto (13/4) - Champions League
Crystal Palace 1-4 Chelsea (10/4) - Premier League
Porto 0-2 Chelsea (7/4) - Champions League
Prediction
It's a game where anything but a win could have dire ramifications for both teams with others waiting in the wings to take their spot in the league table.
West Ham will undoubtedly look to defend deep and counterattack, but have leaked goals recently. Chelsea will aim to have as much of the ball as possible and are set up for this exact type of fixture, but they have looked toothless in many of their recent games.
Both teams need to win to create a gap between themselves and the chasing pack, and such is the nature of the Premier League this season, this game will likely end up a draw to add to the drama. Jesse Lingard is on fire right now and has a good record against Chelsea, but it won't be enough to secure all three points for the Hammers.
Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Chelsea
Source : 90min