English Premier
2008-12-14 - Chelsea vs West Ham United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: England, Premier League
Sunday 14th December 2008 - Kickoff 16:00
Chelsea (2nd - Home : 3-3-2 14:5)
Chelsea come into this match with the strong possibility of being 4 points behind leaders Liverpool in their quest to regain the Premier League title. Added to this pressure could be the fact that Manchester United could move to within 2 points of them before Chelsea kick off this game.
The Blues have made a strong start to the season with a 11-3-2 record, scoring 35 and conceding only 6 goals. However, it has been their sluggish home record that has prevented them from opening up a big lead at the top of the league. At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are 3-3-2 with 14 goals scored and 5 conceded.
Chelsea have only lost 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions but they have not been performing anything like they have wanted. They have failed to win their last 2 home games in the League but they have bounced back from their defeat to Arsenal by winning their last 2 games in all competitions.
Didier Drogba returns to the squad after serving his domestic suspension but Florent Malouda is out with an injury.
West Ham United (16th - Away : 2-2-4 6:11)
West Ham did not enjoy a long honeymoon period under the guidance of their new boss Gianfranco Zola and they now find themselves in a real relegation dog fight. They are sitting in 16th position at the time of writing, but could find themselves in the bottom 3 by the time of kick off as they are only 2 points better off than Sunderland in 18th.
West Ham have only won 1 of their last 10 games and they have only managed to score 4 goals in their last 10 games. This is highlighted with only 1 goal in their last 4 games.
They have already played 3 of the so called big 4, losing comfortably at Manchester United and at home to Arsenal but grinding out a 0-0 draw at Anfield against Liverpool.
Lee Bowyer is again going to miss out while Kieron Dyer is not ready to make his way back into the squad. Matthew Ethrington, Freddie Sears and Jack Collison are all back in the sqaud.
Head to Head
Chelsea have won 7 in a row against their rivals from East London, but their more impressive wins have come at Upton Park in recent history.
While The Blues have scored 4 goals in their last 2 visits to West Ham, the last 2 seasons at Stamford Bridge have both ended 1-0 to Chelsea.
Prediction
Chelsea have not been firing on all cylinders in recent weeks and we are still not sure if Scolari plans on using Anelka with Drogba up front. They have been finding it much harder to win at Stamford Bridge recently as teams pack the midfield and force Chelsea to break them down.
West Ham have been struggling badly for goals recently and this is costing them. They showed some real resiliency at Liverpool recently in making sure they returned with a point and they will need to play with that kind of intensity here.
Chelsea have not dominated West Ham at home in recent seasons and I can see another tight win for the home team. On that note I will take West Ham on the Asian Handicap to keep it tight and maybe eventually lose 1-0.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Chelsea 1-0 West Ham United
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
West Ham United + 1.75 AH
