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Eden Hazard might sit out as Chelsea kick off the Boxing Day action with a visit from London colleagues West Ham United. The Blues celebrated Christmas Day sitting comfortably top of the Premier League table after the win at Stoke earlier in the week.
Sam Allardyce’s West Ham have shown vast improvement this season and currently lie fourth in the league after showing impressive form.
Chelsea team news
Eden Hazard is a major doubt to the squad after being on the receiving end of a last-minute tackle at the Britannia. The Belgian was stamped on his ankle towards the end of the match and Jose Mourinho is considering resting him for the West Ham match.
In could Oscar come after sitting out against Stoke. The midfielder was rested on Monday night ahead of the busy Christmas schedule and will have fresh legs. Besides Hazard, no other players are doubtful for the festive match, though Mourinho could change around the team a bit with another match coming up on Sunday.
West Ham team news
Three West Ham players have been out injured lately and all are facing late fitness tests to be back for the London derby. Kevin Nolan, James Tomkins and Mark Noble are all in doubt for the short trip across London but Allardyce will not hesitate to hold them back another couple of days.
Their new players this season have been a revelation and fired West Ham to fourth in the league.
Last weekend they beat Leicester at home after goals from Andy Carroll and in-form Stewart Downing. The latter has been one of West Ham’s best players this season and is their creative force going forward.
In the centre of the park, Alex Song dictates the game and does much of the same jobs as Nemanja Matic does at Chelsea. Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia are dangerous forwards as well as Carroll, but at home to West Ham, Chelsea are expected to dominate possession.
In fact, Chelsea haven’t lost at home to West Ham in their eight previous meetings, nor have Chelsea been defeated on Boxing Day for a decade. Fingers crossed those stats will continue in the lunchtime kickoff at the Bridge, and we are going for a solid 3-0 win.
