West Ham can beat Chelsea FC this weekend. It will be hard obviously, but the Irons are a talented team and have the ability to stop this Chelsea team rolling all the way to the title.
Chelsea are a good team but they are imperfect. The middle of the 3-4-3 is dependant on two players generally who lack technical ability. N’Golo Kante for all his player of the year enthusiasm has moments where his feet appear to made of cement. Nemanja Matic then is… well, Nemanja Matic. Sometimes he forgets that he has two feet and often needs more than two touches to get the ball under control. This is where Chelsea are vulnerable.
The way that West Ham can beat this is by playing in either a 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2. Either one of these gives West Ham power over the midfield while giving reinforcements to the strikers who are doing battle with David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta and Gary Cahill.
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If Andy Carroll is available, which is a big if, then he should start. The Chelsea back line for all it’s hustle and appraisal this season is horrendous in the air. If Carroll starts on the left and cuts in to an in swinging cross then he’ll get the better of the poor marking Luiz and physically small Azpilicueta every single time.
Top Performances Necessary
West Ham need to play West Ham football on this. Bully the Chelsea back line and play tough in midfield. Matic and Kante don’t get pressed by opposition midfield that often and so they’re not very tested. If West Ham can maintain a three man midfield with two harrying the opposing Matic and Kante while the third moves into the channels then the battle in the middle of the park will be won.
As for Eden Hazard it will be difficult. He’s Chelsea’s best player and he’s attacking the weakest area of West Ham’s team. Whoever will be playing on the right should simply be trying to deny Hazard the ball. Don’t even let it get to him. Mark him very closely and never let him get to the point where he has the front step attacking. West Ham need to be wary of this. Hazard can beat a team in a matter of moments and coming back from a goal behind against a club like Chelsea who are so comfortable on the ball is nearly impossible.
Next: Hard work gains point at Watford
West Ham can win this match but they need to do everything right if they are to stand a chance.