Chelsea will rise to fourth in the Premier League table if they beat West Ham United on Monday evening at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have seen Newcastle United and Manchester City lose over the weekend and can now leapfrog their rivals for Champions League qualification with three points against London foes West Ham.
However, Enzo Maresca’s side have won just one of their last seven Premier League matches following their disappointing defeat to Man City last time out and can ill-afford complacency against the Hammers.
Graham Potter will be keen to get one over on the side he briefly managed between September 2022 and April 2023, aiming to build on an encouraging draw with Aston Villa most recently. The injury-stricken Irons would climb above Manchester United and into 13th if they could upset the odds and beat Chelsea.
Chelsea are still without long-term absentees Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana in the heart of defence, while Romeo Lavia is missing in defensive midfield. Omari Kellyman is also sidelined and is still yet to make his debut for the club in any competition due to fitness issues.
Mykhailo Mudryk is banned due to failing a drugs test and won’t be part of the squad to face West Ham.
Maresca has a big decision to make regarding his goalkeeper, with Robert Sanchez producing another error-strewn display at the Etihad Stadium. Back-up Filip Jorgensen could replace him in between the sticks.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs West Ham (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
West Ham have struggled with injuries to their forward line in recent weeks and will be without attacking duo Niclas Fullkrug and Michail Antonio on Monday. Crysencio Summerville is also unlikely to feature in a wide position.
Lucas Paqueta sustained a groin injury in the draw with Villa last time out and will be assessed before kick-off on Monday, but the good news for Potter is that Jarrod Bowen could make a return to the fold earlier than expected after missing over a month with a fractured foot. He may be part of the squad against the Blues.
West Ham predicted lineup vs Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Areola; Coufal, Kilman, Cresswell; Wan-Bissaka, Alvarez, Soler, Emerson; Kudus, Soucek; Ings.
