Chelsea will host West Ham on Monday Night Football.
Chelsea can boost their top four hopes on Monday when they face West Ham United in the final Premier League match of the weekend.
The Blues head into the game in sixth place in the Premier League, though they are just one point behind fourth-place Manchester City and boast a better goal differential than Pep Guardiola’s side. West Ham, by contrast, are in 15th place but can rise up to 13th – and go above Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – with a win.
Manager Enzo Maresca will have a nearly fully fit squad to work with on Monday, including Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson. Palmer leads the team with 14 goals this season, all in the Premier League since he’s had the benefit of skipping the Blues’ games in other competitions, while Jackson has nine in the league this season.
Projected lineup
Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson
Prediction
West Ham bring something interesting to the table now that they are coached by Graham Potter, but this is still Chelsea’s game to lose, and as long as Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson are on the pitch, they should have enough to pick up all three points.
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The Blues should have more than enough firepower and depth to conquer a West Ham side still finding their feet under Potter and with worrying injuries up top. It may not be wholly convincing but three points should be forthcoming on Monday evening.
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.
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.
Chelsea will rise to fourth in the Premier League table if they beat West Ham United on Monday evening at Stamford Bridge.
