Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard will be out for up to four weeks with a hip problem, according to his national coach Marc Wilmots.
Diego Costa is suspended after his red card in the FA Cup defeat last weekend.
West Ham remain without James Tomkins and James Collins because of calf and hamstring injuries respectively.
On-loan winger Victor Moses is ineligible to face his parent club, but Sam Byram is available after being cup-tied last week.
Editor’s Note: 10th plays host to 5th. Usually that would be the other way round and perhaps signify that Chelsea might not get a Champions League place next season but it’s all change in London this season and Chelsea’s prospects are seemingly a lot worse.
Guus Hiddink’s hopes of giving Chelsea a parting gift of another F.A. Cup under his managerial reign have evaporated after their defeat away at Everton last season. Not only that but with suspension to Diego Costa and injury to Eden Hazard it has all but killed off any hopes of a Europa League place next season via the League route.
The season is all but done and dusted for Chelsea, the only objective they can really hope for is a respectable top half finish and at least turn around the season to a modicum of respectability after their horror show start
Their opponents West Ham still have a lot to play for, still very much in the hunt for a Champions League place even if Slaven Bilic doesn’t necessarily think so and still in the F.A. Cup thanks to a draw at Old Trafford last Sunday.
Yes they may feel aggrieved at being held at Old Trafford as they felt they had done enough to win and Manchester United’s equaliser was questionable but what West Ham fan wouldn’t love the romance of one last cup tie at Upton Park. One that could see them secure a Semi Final against Everton and more importantly a trip to Wembley.
Last time out in the league they went to Goodison Park and came from 2-0 down to snatch all 3 points and give their Champions League hopes a massive boost. A win today would see them go for 4th for at least 24 hours and if results go their way in the Manchester Derby then they could stay their for a fortnight.
Dimitri Payet got the winner away at Goodison in the 90th Minute and his form has seen him get a well deserved call up to the France squad at the end of the month. Could the mercurial Midfielder make a late bid for the hosts EURO 2016 squad.
As for Today, West Ham will certainly fancy their chances and aim to do the double of their cross city rivals this season. But Chelsea are still yet to lose in the Premier League under Guus Hiddink so I reckon it will be a share of the points. A draw for me.
