Chelsea will continue their push for a Europa League spot later today when the Blues host London rivals West Ham United in the Premier League.
After going three games without a win, Chelsea returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge, with Trevoh Chalobah and Nicolas Jackson both getting on the scoresheet. The result moved the Blues up to eighth in the table, just three points behind Man United in sixth with a better goal difference.
A top-six finish is more than possible now for Mauricio Pochettino’s side despite the current injury issues, and three points against West Ham now seem extremely important. With just two wins in their last 12, the Irons are far from their best at the minute, though they earned the bragging rights in the last clash with Chelsea, winning 3-1 at the London Stadium.
So, what could happen between Chelsea and West Ham later today? Let’s take a look.
Chelsea vs West Ham United simulated to get a Premier League score prediction
To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 24 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that Chelsea could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Petrovic; Gilchrist, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson.
We predict that the Hammers could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Ogbonna, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus; Antonio.
Noni Madueke was the sharpest of the Chelsea attackers in the opening stages, with the winger setting up Cole Palmer and Jackson, but neither of his teammates could tuck away their chances. After the promising start, the game went a bit flat, with neither side creating anything dangerous before half time.
After the restart, Palmer came close for the hosts when Jackson flicked Mykhailo Mudryk’s cross into his path, but the Englishman’s shot was straight at the ‘keeper as another chance went begging. West Ham had struggled all game to trouble the Chelsea backline, but in the 78th minute, it was the visitors who took a surprise lead with their first attack of the half.
The Irons hit Chelsea on the counterattack after dispossessing Marc Cucurella on the halfway line, with Jarrod Bowen pinging a pass across the pitch to pick out Mohammed Kudus. The winger took on Alfie Gilchrist with ease before laying the ball off into the middle, and untracked, Tomas Soucek arrived to fire into the net and make it 1-0.
A goal ahead, West Ham put every player behind the ball for the final 10 minutes, making it difficult for Chelsea to create any clear-cut chances. Pochettino’s side were limited to long-range efforts that failed to trouble the ‘keeper, and the hosts were unable to find an equaliser as they fell to defeat at Stamford Bridge.
EA FC 24 predicted final score: Chelsea 0-1 West Ham United
What do you think the score will be? Let us know in the comments!
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