Don't look now, but West Ham United legitimately looks like it has a chance to stick around in the Top 4 this year. If the Hammers can find a way to get all three points from Chelsea at Boleyn Ground on Saturday, they'll certainly have the attention of, not just the rest of England, but the rest of Europe as well.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Hammers are still the big underdogs in this game at 3 to 1 on the moneyline, but they would've probably been 6 to 1 underdogs to get all three points in this game a couple months ago. Chelsea is still an odds-on favorite at -110, but we really wonder whether it deserves to be the favorite at all after this start to the campaign, let alone an odds-on choice.
The total is somewhat high at 2.5 and over -135 vig, and don't be surprised if the number reaches 3 by the end of the week.
KEY INJURIES
Chelsea is continuing to look for the right formula to win games in the Premier League. Injuries aren't a major problem though, especially with Asmir Begovic in fine form replacing the injured Thibaut Courtois.
West Ham will have two question marks in Enner Valencia and Alexandre Song for this match. Valencia is trying to get back in match fitness, while Song is back at training after missing the whole first half of the regular season following offseason surgery on his ankle.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I left out (Eden) Hazard because we are conceding lots of goals. We need to defend better. When you don't have the ball, quality means nothing and what means (thumping chest) you have or you don't have. It was just a tactical decision, leaving super quality on the bench, but bringing tactical discipline and hoping that the team could be solid." – Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho on why Eden Hazard has been benched
RECENT FORM
West Ham had a couple iffy results in a row against Sunderland and Norwich City, but it fired back with a 3-1 victory on the road at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace last weekend. The Hammers have won played five straight games past the total across all competitions.
Two weeks away from the pitch might've finally done Chelsea some good. The competition against Aston Villa at home wasn't the toughest the Blues have had for sure, but they were clinical in a 2-0 triumph and never really looked back after getting a lead towards the end of the first half.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Diego Costa looked like a man on a mission up top for Chelsea against Villa, and that's really good news for both him and the Blues.
The message however, was clear as sent by Mourinho. Chelsea needs to get back to its defensive ways if it is going to claw its way back up the table here in the Premier League.
That's a lot easier said than done against a team which has been awesome at home and has averaged 2.2 goals per game thus far in the 2015-16 term, but it's doable.
We expect to see Diafra Sakho shut down for the first time this season thanks to a credible Chelsea defense which has underachieved this season, and that should be good enough to ultimately lead the Blues to a huge victory on the road against what, in our eyes, is one of the best five teams in England this year.
Chelsea 1, West Ham 0
BookMaker has live English Premier League odds for every clash of the season. You can find a moneyline price on Chelsea of -110 and a total of 2.5 right now! BookMaker is also going to have multiple betting options available for this nationally-televised match. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, total and spread. Log in and start gambling during the soccer game now!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The fixture between Chelsea and West Ham will take place at 10:00 a.m. ET on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at Boleyn Ground. The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network.
