Premier League preview and odds: Chelsea vs West Ham United

Premier League preview and odds: Chelsea vs West Ham United

August 15 , 2016 20:00pm - Stamford Bridge

Premier League

Chelsea will look to put last season behind them when they take on a quietly confident West Ham side at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.

Londoners go head-to-head in season opener

The 2015-16 Premier League campaign was one to forget for Chelsea fans. After winning the title the previous year under fans` favourite Jose Mourinho, the club suffered a collapse of disastrous proportions which ultimately led to the dismissal of the Portuguese boss. While Guus Hiddink was brought in to steady the ship, it was too little too late as the Londoners laboured to a 10th place finish.

Former Juventus and Italy boss Antonio Conte is the man who has been charged with the task of elevating the Blues back into the top four. He will begin his tenure in the Premier League with a tough clash against one of his teams fiercest London rivals.

Even after Mourinho`s departure, the Stamford Bridge side struggled on home soil last term, managing a total of just five wins - four of which came against the clubs that finished in the bottom four. A leaky defence and lack of midfield application was evident throughout a campaign in which few players came through with much credit.

A new boss and a handful of new recruits could help to give the Chelsea squad a lift, but it may take them a while to get accustomed to a new way of playing under their Italian master.

West Ham were decent on the road last year and did well against all the top teams. With their new Stadium up and running and last season`s star players still on the books, there are plenty of reasons for Hammers fans to be confident ahead of the new campaign. They will certainly provide a tough test for Conte on his debut and look good value to leave with all three points.

Team news

Marco Van Ginkel and Kurt Zouma are both out of action for the home side.

Meanwhile, the visitors will have to make do without Gokhan Tore, Aaron Cresswell, Manuel Lanzini, Doneil Henry and Diafra Sakho.

Recent form (League)

Chelsea: WWLWW

West Ham United: LWLWL

Betting odds and tips

While Conte adjusts to life in the Premier League, Salven Bilic will look to strike an early blow for the Irons. The away win looks like great value here.

You can back the away win at 9/2 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Go To bet365

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11/08/2016     © Frixo 2025