Dimitri Payet
Payet has scored seven times in the Premier League this season. Getty Images

Chelsea host West ham United in a London derby on Saturday, 19 March as the Blues look to close the gap on a top-six finish after being eliminated from Europe by Paris Saint-Germain. The defending league Champions are currently 10th in the table and are seven points behind sixth-placed Manchester United, who play Manchester City on Sunday.

Where to Watch

Kick-off is set for 3pm GMT. Highlights of the game will be available on BBC Match of the Day at 10:30pm GMT on BBC One. Live commentary will be available on BBC Radio London.

Overview

Chelsea are out of all cup competitions and Guus Hiddink's side will be desperate to end the season on a high, having started the campaign on a wrong note. Eleven points adrift of a top-four spot, it would need a miracle for the Blues to take anything from the season which was over before the players had even got themselves around to what was going on in the league.

Jose Mourinho, who led the club to their third league title, was completely taken aback by the lack of form displayed by his star players and was given the sack before the turn of the year. However, it did little to improve results and despite Hiddink not having lost a single league game since taking over, Chelsea have found it very hard to improve on the form they showed under the Portuguese manager.

Meanwhile, West Ham have gone from strength to strength and under the guidance of manager Slaven Bilic are closing in on a top-four spot this season. Summer signing Dimitri Payet has been a revelation for the Hammers and optimism is high at the club with a move to the Olympic Stadium yielding rich benefits in terms of finances.

The run has not been confined to the Premier League, with Bilic's men also active in the FA Cup, where they will play Manchester United in a quarter-final replay, with the winner taking on Everton in the semi-final at Wembley. The London club are only two points adrift of Manchester City and a win here will go a long way in taking them closer to a top-four finish.

What Managers Say

Guus Hiddink: "They[West Ham] are in the mood being in fifth position. They are dreaming of making a dream come true to make fourth position. Can they? Yes. This is a team that have not just shown a lot of character, but they've also shown they can play. They have players who can score and be decisive at any minute. I expect a tough match because they are doing very well. If you see them play at home and away, they are a courageous team, who can be very fast on the counter attack. They have very skilful players who can make decisions in a second. It's a nice and adventurous team to watch."

Slaven Bilic: "Chelsea have struggled to find the consistency although, under Guus Hiddink, they have climbed to mid-table and sit nine points behind us. I'm sure Chelsea will be back to where they expect to be next season. They have the finances and will be working hard on it. They need some reorganisation but certainly don't need to start from zero. It's been an unsettling time for the Chelsea players — Jose Mourinho leaving, Guus Hiddink coming in for a few months and speculation about Antonio Conte joining the club next season."

Betting Odds (Betfair)

  • Chelsea Win: 8/11
  • Draw: 11/4
  • West Ham Win: 7/2

Team News

Chelsea

Probable XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry, Ivanovic; Mikel, Matic; Willian, Fabregas, Pedro; Traore

West Ham

Probable XI: Adrian; Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble, Lanzini, Payet; Emenike, Carroll

Chelsea FC