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Team News and Tactical Brief
Chelsea
With new fresh injury concerns, only Oriol Romeu remains unavailable for selection this Sunday. Frank Lampard, Gary Cahill and Demba Ba (ineligible) didn’t start in Europa League and should be expected to feature against the Hammers.
In a 4-2-3-1 system, the defense is likely to comprise of Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry and Cole, with Petr Cech taking his customary position between the posts. Rafa will look to retain John Obi Mikel in the starting line-up for the solidarity that the Nigerian provides, while not playing Lampard against his former clubs appears unlikely. In front of them, Eden Hazard, who has been in sensational form of late, is expected to start from the left flank, with the overused Juan Mata and Victor Moses completing the third band. Should Rafa decide to rest Mata, Oscar can get a start on Sunday. Ahead of them, former West Ham player Demba Ba will replace Fernando Torres in the starting line-up, despite the Spaniard scoring the tie-winning goal in Europa League.
Although Andy Carroll has been in poor form and has only scored thrice for the Hammers, the Chelsea defense, especially John Terry, would be wary of his physical presence in the box. The English striker had almost turned last year’s FA Cup final on its head after coming on for Liverpool in the second half.
Probable Starting Line-up (4-2-3-1): Cech; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Lampard; Mata, Hazard, Moses; Ba
West Ham
Sam Allardyce is expected to be without the services of Kevin Nolan (broken toe), Mark Noble (arm), Joe Cole (hamstring), Matt Taylor (concussion) and George McCartney (knee) for this game, as they aren’t likely to be fit in time to take on Chelsea.
Hammers will also take the field in their own 4-2-3-1 formation, with Allardyce unlikely to make too many changes to the team that defeated Stoke at the Britannia. Jaaskelainen will start behind the centre-back pairing of Collins and Reid, while O’Brien will start at left-back with Demel on the opposite flank. Diame and O’Neil will protect the back four and will sit behind Te, Collison, who’d played quite well in the last match, and Jarvis. Andy Carroll will lead the line.
Probable Starting Line-up (4-2-3-1): Jaaskelainen; Demel, Collins, Reid, O’Brien; Diame, O’Neil; Te, Collison, Jarvis; Carroll
Key Facts
Chelsea have won 6 of their last 7 home matches against West Ham in all competitions.
West Ham ended a 12-match winless streak against Chelsea by winning the reverse fixture 3-1 in December. The hosts came from behind to triumph thanks to goals from Carlton Cole, Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga.
The Hammers have only taken one point from their last six visits to Stamford Bridge since a 3-2 victory in September 2002. Paolo Di Canio scored twice for the visitors, while Frank Lampard played for Chelsea and John Terry was an unused substitute.
It’s 12 years since the Blues last lost a Premier League home game in the month of March, a 4-2 defeat against Sunderland in 2001.
West Ham have won two of their last four games but taken only 14 points from their last 16 matches.
Last edited by Admin on Sat 16 Mar 2013, 6:17 pm; edited 2 times in total
Hope i`am proved wrong tho , with terry and lampard and also Ba all set to start two of them i know will score on sunday (I`am sure you can guess which two iam on about)
, did we not beat them at UP , more positive thinking people 
or two 
