Chelsea take on West Ham United in the English Premier League on Monday and this is like a must-win game for the Blues.
Despite a near-fine start to the campaign Lampard’s men have lost their last two matches in the league and are currently eighth on the table with 22 points. They might just be four points off the top-four but a slip-up on Monday would allow teams like Villa, Wolves and the Hammers to move above them.
Many pundits have claimed that Chelsea will tread a bit cautiously against West Ham United but according to Michael Owen, this could be a goal-fest with the Blues eventually nicking all three points.
He wrote for BetVictor: “It’s been a tough week for Frank Lampard’s Chelsea. They went into last weekend as genuine title contenders, but after back-to-back defeats, the Stamford Bridge faithful will have been left scratching their heads.
“West Ham arrive here unbeaten in two. The Hammers have been difficult to play against this season, so Chelsea will have to be at their best if they are to win this.
The Blues are undefeated in 11 of their last 12 home matches. Interestingly, there have been over 2.5 goals in 5 of West Ham’s last 6 league matches. I can see goals on the menu again, and although Chelsea are wounded, I think they’ll get the result they need.”
The Hammers have been in fine form this season under David Moyes and they have lost just one out of their last five league matches.
So clearly Moyes’ men will go into this game with a positive mindset but we think the Blues just have more firepower to get the job done.
Frank Lampard will see the return of Hakim Ziyech to the matchday squad and if players like Kai Havertz and Timo Werner find their stride then it should be an easy night for Chelsea.
Apart from the attacking prowess, Chelsea have conceded only 14 goals in the Premier League so far this season making them one of the strongest defences in England right now.
