Chelsea hosts a London derby against their closest rivals from the table and it isn’t Arsenal or Tottenham, they face the surprise package of the season West Ham United. The Hammers sit in 4th place and have certainly caught the eye of a lot of people with their bold attacking style of play which is not something Sam Allardyce is known for.
West Ham are looking to qualify for the Champions League but they face a stern test when they on the league leaders who have seen their lead over Manchester City slashed to just 3 points, Chelsea know that City will be hopeful of a slip up by the league leaders and will go all out for the win at home.
Keeping in mind that 1st plays 4th in the league, some match ups will be key in deciding who gains the upper hand in the game and here are the 3 key battles which can decide the outcome of the game.
1. Diego Costa vs. James Tomkins
Although the English defender is a doubt for the game, he should be fit enough to play against the top goal scorer in the league, Diego Costa. Costa has been absolutely brilliant this season for Chelsea with his movement and his finishing; he does have a nasty streak about him which makes him a completely different beast to deal with for defenders.
Tomkins has had an exceptional season for West Ham and has been one of the reasons why the Hammers are so high up in the table. He and Costa going head to head will be something to keep an eye on.