Predicted XI

Ziyech and Hudson-Odoi available? How Chelsea could line-up against West Ham

The last Premier League match before Christmas takes place on Monday in a crunch London derby

 
10:06am on Monday 21st December 2020
By
Martin Macdonald

Chelsea are looking to get back to winning ways on Monday against West Ham after two straight Premier League defeats against Everton and Wolves.

The Blues were on a magnificent run before that and manager Frank Lampard will be tasked with getting their assault on the top four going again after dropping down to 13th in the table.

Lampard could be boosted by the return of two key players to his matchday squad on Monday, with Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi completing full training over the weekend after recovering from hamstring injuries.

Due to the nature of the injuries, though, they might not feature from the start, which could see Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, and Christian Pulisic start behind lone striker Olivier Giroud again.

Havertz hasn't been in the best of form recently, with Lampard having to publicly back their biggest signing of the summer. Therefore, it seems unlikely that he would be dropped from the starting XI after being given a vote of confidence from his manager.

That will likely mean a central midfield duo of Mason Mount and N'Golo Kante again, though Mateo Kovacic is pushing for a start after coming off the bench against Wolves.

Reece James recently had a scan on a knee injury he has been playing through over the past few weeks and might not be available here depending on the results.

If he can't play, club captain Cesar Azpilicueta will be recalled to the starting XI alongside Thiago Silva, Kurt Zouma, and Ben Chilwell.

Chelsea v West Ham: Predicted XI

CHELSEA - Football tactics and formations

Latest news

Serie A

Capello carries Juve back to the summit of Italian football - Serie A 2004-05

The Bianconeri would later be stripped of this Serie A title...

  • 11 hours
Ligue 1

Montpellier stun French football to claim maiden title - Ligue 1 in 2011/12

Olivier Giroud and co. put themselves on the map by winning the French top flight for the very first time

  • 12 hours
Bundesliga

When Magath guided Bayern to another Bundesliga crown - the Bundesliga in 2005/06

The Bavarian giants claimed the double in Germany, further solidifying their dominance under Felix Magath

  • 13 hours
La Liga

When Ronaldinho moved onto another level - La Liga in 2005/06

The Brazilian moved into the realm of greatness in a near-flawless season

  • 14 hours
Premier League

When Ronaldinho sent Barcelona on their journey to greatness - La Liga in 2004/05

The arrival of the Brazilian the previous year was the catalyst for a return to the top at Camp Nou

  • 15 hours
Premier League

When Man Utd blew Arsenal away to win three in a row - the Premier League in 2000/01

The Red Devils hammered their nearest rivals 6-1 during a season where everyone else trailed in their wake

  • 16 hours

Most read