Chelsea V West Ham United Betting: Saturday, 13th March

Chelsea V West Ham United

Saturday, 13^th March – 15:00 GMT

Chelsea

League Position: 2nd

Recent Form: DWLWL 

Chelsea avoided their third defeat on the spin in all competitions when beating Stoke City at the weekend in the FA Cup. A victory which was welcomed in by a collective sigh of relief around Stamford Bridge after some nervy and unconvincing displays beforehand. Goals from Frank Lampard & John Terry, fittingly two players blue through-and-through, led to a routine, if not entirely convincing, 2-0 win and it now sets up an exciting semi-final clash with Aston Villa at Wembley. That exciting encounter isn’t for a good few weeks yet so Chelsea’s attention reverts back to the league and regaining their position at the top of the Barclay’s Premier League table with victory at home to a West Ham side which held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Upton Park earlier in the season.

To Chelsea’s credit, they handled the physical side of Stoke’s play magnificently well, with John Terry back as Chelsea’s rock at the heart of what has been a shaky defence for Chelsea in recent weeks. It was about time the Chelsea skipper came through with a solid performance, one which should set an example for the rest of the defence as his displays, as well as the rest of the Chelsea back line of late, haven’t been up to scratch. He was immense on Sunday though, powerful in the air; both in his own box and in Stoke’s, scoring Chelsea’s second and eventual winner with a bullet header. He dedicated his goal to the fans and he will hope his and the clubs loyal followers will get right behind his side once again as they welcome one of their many London rivals to Stamford Bridge this coming weekend.

While Chelsea’s year-long record without losing at Stamford Bridge has diminished after that memorable 4-2 defeat at the hands of Man City in their very last appearance at the Bridge, that intimidating feeling you get when walking onto the Chelsea pitch still remains, the one you get when you know you’re in a real game. The aim on Saturday though will be to restore the infallible factor back to Stamford Bridge by returning to winning ways instantly and against a West Ham side which lost at the weekend, that looks a good bet.

After relinquishing their grasp on top spot after defeat to Man City, the players should be extra motivated to go out and make amends for their poor showing that infamous afternoon. We don’t see anything other than a comfortable home win ourselves, after all, Chelsea have been formidable at home this season, dropping points on just two rare occasions, while their goal difference of +29 (41-12) is insanely good, so good that even the very best get intimidated. Chelsea need a big victory after a miserable last outing in the league and they have the ideal chance to register one at West Ham’s expense.

West Ham United

League Position: 16th

Recent Form: LWWLL

Hammers fans endured a miserable weekend after watching their team, one which appeared rejuvenated after a recent influx of wins, go on to record a 2-1 defeat at home to struggling Bolton Wanderers last Saturday. That unexpected defeat leaves the club hovering just above the drop zone now, just three points separating them from the bottom three teams in fact, so another defeat this weekend, what would be their second in quick succession, could see them fall back into the bottom three after only just getting back on track.

West Ham have now lost twice on the spin following defeats to both Manchester United & Bolton Wanderers. Those bitter loses came after their first set of back-to-back wins in the league, so are the team back to their miserable, losing selves? Well, only time will tell we suppose, although the Hammers haven’t lost three games in a row since the middle of December, so they’ll be eager to avoid falling into a similar rut on Saturday, although defeat does look inevitable if you ask most neutral punters and punfits.

Like many teams near the bottom of the league, West Ham’s away record isn’t the best, although it’s far from being the worst. Gianfranco Zola has seen his team win just one of their fourteen away fixtures this season, while you could safely rule out them winning at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Draws have occurred on five occasions but the majority of their away games, 57% in fact, have ended in defeat, which doesn’t bode well for the travelling Hammers as they enter into one of their toughest fixtures of the season, one which is also a local derby for their fans.

On the injury front, Benni McCarthy could play some part after missing West Ham’s last couple of games, although he’s still a doubt, while Mark Noble could return in a lightweight protective cast for his fractured arm, although that doesn’t seem worth it in a game West Ham don’t stand much hope in if truth be told. Stanislas is also being assessed, while Danny Gabbidon should be fit to start at the back for Zola’s Hammers.

Match Verdict: Chelsea to WIN – 1.25 Expekt

This should be Straight forward for Chelsea as they aim to get right back to winning games after defeat in their last league outing. West Ham were hopeless last Saturday, second best for the majority of their game with Bolton, while Chelsea were showing us all their combative qualities, working extremely hard to etch out a win at home to Stoke in the FA Cup. That big win over Stoke will have raised the morale of the Chelsea camp and that should rise further after an expected victory at home to West Ham United this weekend.

Match Odds:

Chelsea – 1.25 Expekt

Draw – 6.00 SkyBet

West Ham United – 15.00 Boylesports

SoccerBetting Value Pick: Chelsea to WIN to NIL – 2.00 BlueSquare