West Ham will confront Arsenal after the 2-0 loss to league leader Chelsea on Sunday December 28.Arsenal on the other hand escaped with 2-1 victory over QPR after Giroud was harsly sent off..


TEAM NEWS

West Ham duo Alex Song and Diafra Sakho were rotated out of the starting line-up at Chelsea but are set to return against Arsenal.James Tomkins is again likely to miss out with a hamstring problem, so James Collins will continue to deputise.Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud begins a three-game ban which could mean Danny Welbeck is restored to a central role.The Gunners will assess centre-back Laurent Koscielny, who is nearing a return from a hamstring problem.

MATCH PREVIEW

Sam Allardyce's team selection against Chelsea has been the focus of some debate, particularly the decision to bench key players Alex Song and Diafra Sakho.Although recent injury problems played a role in those decisions,  I can reveal the West Ham manager made the decision to mix and match several weeks ago.

Lawro's prediction

"This is another tough game for West Ham on the back of their defeat by Chelsea, although I think Hammers boss Sam Allardyce was quite clever in resting Alex Song and Diafra Sakho until the last half hour at Stamford Bridge."Predictions: Lawro v Unbroken star Jack O'ConnellAnd on current form you can see why he would target this game, rather the Boxing Day trip to the league leaders, as the more winnable fixture.That said, the Hammers will be keen to avoid losing any momentum over the festive period, where a few poor results can see your league position come down as quickly as the Christmas decorations.Only a superb display from Hammers goalkeeper Adrian kept the score down against Chelsea, but they should be a different proposition on Sunday.Aside from the injured James Tomkins, West Ham should be fairly close to the team which began against Leicester in their last home game.That would mean Andy Carroll starting a second game in three days, but he only played 59 minutes at Stamford Bridge, and will surely fancy his chances against an Arsenal rearguard which has creaked at times this season.A bit like Manchester United, Arsenal have barely had their first-choice defence available, and Arsene Wenger will be particularly keen to get fit-again Laurent Koscielny back alongside Per Mertesacker at centre-back.  The Gunners have an excellent record against West Ham, winning their last eight in all competitions, but to keep that streak going they may need more heroics from Alexis Sanchez.The Chilean has scored or assisted half of their 32 Premier League goals and has 15 goals in all competitions. Who knows where they would be without him - probably significantly lower than sixth in the table.This should be a cracking London derby played at what is sure to be packed and noisy Upton Park.The teams appear evenly matched and I'm expecting plenty of goals - it's just the kind of match you want to be watching over Christmas.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-headArsenal have won their last eight league and cup games against West Ham in all competitions.The Gunners have scored at least three times in each of their last five matches against the Hammers.West Ham have not beaten Arsenal since winning both meetings 1-0 in the 2006-07 season, triumphing at the Emirates Stadium in April 2007 and at Upton Park in November 2006.West HamThe Hammers have won six of their last seven Premier League home games.They have kept four clean sheets and conceded just three goals in that run.They are unbeaten at Upton Park since August, when they lost their opening two Premier League home matches.ArsenalArsenal have failed to score in only one of their last 11 away matches in the Premier League - their 2-0 loss to Chelsea on 5 October.The Gunners have conceded five times in their last two away league games - with all but one of those arriving before half-time.With 10 goals and six assists, Alexis Sanchez has scored or assisted half of Arsenal's 32 Premier League goals this season.Ian Wright (14) is the only player to reach 10 Premier League goals in fewer games for Arsenal than Sanchez (17)
A

Alex Song should be watch oh.....

Give us today

Arsenal? Mtcheeeeew!!!! Westham go beat them

I am waiting


I need Rosicky

Goalllllllllllllll

did i just read "harshly sent off"?

STC (Sixth to comment) Lol

man u don cast my bet ooh....i wan mad

Arsenal 1 - 1 west ham

Okay man am here.

Arsenal is a mediocre team honestly

Arsenal go loose

3point for Arsenal

Na Here the comedy dey jare

GAME ON!

Reporting for duty.......

Hope sey enough jellof rice and coca cola dey here

#badbelleisallowed

COYG!!!!

Arsenal will loose abi?

Na goal jor

Linesman e too early for Ojoro oh

2-2

argh song na like this?

na goal na

colossus2:
Linesman e too early for Ojoro oh

It is their way.

Westham oya make we do Arsenal strong thing

I just dey observe.....Useless London teams

Westham 2-0 arsenal

aieromon:
I just dey observe.....Useless London teams

[size=15pt]Ediotttttttttttt[/size]

aieromon:
I just dey observe.....Useless London teams

my feed went off i suspect you