West Ham United v Chelsea: Squad sheets

Trips to the Boleyn Ground have represented easy pickingsfor Chelsea in recent times, with only two points shed in their last six visits. Perhaps that was why Sam Allardyce sounded a note of caution ahead of this derby despite thefact the visitors arrive without a win in six league games and with fans still deeply unsettled by the arrival of Rafael Benítez. "Rafa has already sorted out what was a problem under Roberto [Di Matteo]," said Allardyce, reflecting upon Chelsea's successive goalless draws underthe Spaniard. Benítez will continue to juggle his resources, and may rest Oscar as he seeks a win to ease the tension. Dominic Fifield

Venue Upton Park, Saturday 12.45pm

Tickets £26-£49 (0871 222 2700)

Last season n/a

Referee M Atkinson

This season's matches 11 Y 44, R 1, 4.09 cards per game

Odds West Ham 14-5 Chelsea 10-11 Draw 5-2

West Ham United v Chelsea: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic

West Ham

Subs from Spiegel, O'Brien, Taylor, Potts, Spence, Tomkins, Moncur, O'Neil, Fanimo, Maïga, Hall, Cole, Taylor

Doubtful McCartney (ankle), Carroll (knee)

Injured Collison (knee, 26 Dec), Vaz Te (shoulder, Jan), Diarra (thigh, unknown)

Ineligible Benayoun (terms of loan deal)

Form guide LLDWDL

Disciplinary record Y31 R0

Leading scorer Nolan 5

Chelsea

Subs from Turnbull, Hilário, Blackman, Ferreira, Romeu, Bertrand, Piazon, Marin, Hazard

Doubtful None

Injured Sturridge (hamstring, Dec 13), Lampard (calf, Dec13), Terry (knee, Dec 13)

Suspended David Luiz (one match)

Form guide DDLDDL

Disciplinary record Y19 R2

Leading scorer Mata, Torres 4

Match pointers

• Sam Allardyce has won just two out of 10 Premier League matches as a coach against Rafael Benítez, with the Spaniard coming out on top on six occasions

• Fernando Torres has scored six goals in six Premier League appearances against West Ham, more than against any other top-flight opponents

• James Collins has scored three times against Chelsea, all of those goals being headers

• The visitors have drawn two successive PremierLeague games 0-0 for the first time since September 2004


http://m.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/nov/30/west-ham-chelsea-squad-sheets