Chelsea v West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
Stamford Bridge
Saturday 1 December
Kick-off: 12.45pm
Referee: Howard Webb (Yorkshire)
Live on Sky Sports
WHUTV - Live audio commentary along with behind the scenes footage in the run-up to the game including Alan Curbishley's pre-match press conference and a chance to hear from Dean Ashton, Mervyn Day and Ray Winstone. WHUTV also has all the highlights and reaction from every game this season - including the 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. Click here for a membership offer.
Team news
Scott Parker and Dean Ashton both came through a reserve match unscathed and are in contention for a starting berth - having come on as substitutes against Tottenham. Lee Bowyer could return after a ban and hernia operation while Freddie Ljungberg has trained all week after a bad migraine last weekend. Fit-again James Collins, Mark Noble and Hayden Mullins will all expect to be involved in the 16.
Chelsea have Didier Drogba back after knee trouble and scoring goals after two in a midweek Champions League fixture but look set to be without Petr Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho and the suspended Michael Essien. Michael Ballack has been in reserve action after an ankle injury but is not thought to be in contention. John Terry and Ashley Cole are also fit after recent knocks.
Background
Alan Curbishley has positive memories of his last two trips to Stamford Bridge. In his final season at Charlton Athletic in the 2005/06 campaign, his former club drew 1-1 in the league having already earned the same result in the League Cup third round before knocking out the then champions 5-4 on penalties.
West Ham United have not lost this season in any match where the club have taken the lead and are looking to make it seven games unbeaten. Chelsea are undefeated in 13 matches and are also looking to extend their unbeaten run at home to 70 games, having not lost since the visit of Arsenal on 21 February 2004. West Ham United last won at Stamford Bridge on 28 September 2002, a victory inspired by Paolo Di Canio.
Victory would ensure tenth-placed West Ham United - who have 19 points from 13 games and a better goal difference than every club below - stay in the top half of the table. Only Newcastle United, a point behind in eleventh, could overtake Curbishley's men this weekend. Chelsea are fourth with 28 points from 14 games and could, temporarily at least, move into second spot with victory.
George McCartney is bidding to make his 17th appearance for the club this season in all competitions - and is the only player who has featured in every game to date, starting in each one. In terms of the Barclays Premier League, only Robert Green and Matthew Upson have played every minute of the 13 matches. Bowyer is the club's top league scorer with four goals, while Matthew Etherington has three in the top-flight this campaign. Carlton Cole has six assists to his name.
Chelsea have kept eight clean sheets in league matches this season and have only conceded once in 630 minutes. Both clubs, who will play the return fixture at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday 1 March, share the record for the longest current run in the top flight (seven games) without conceding more than once in a fixture. Drogba is Chelsea's leading scorer in the top-flight with five goals.
Both teams will have two players in action against former clubs. Parker made 28 appearances for Chelsea, with one goal, between January 2004 and June 2005 while Carlton Cole came through the academy at Stamford Bridge before heading east in July 2006 after 32 appearances and eight goals for the Blues. Chelsea boast Lampard and Joe Cole, both Academy products, who headed west in June 2001 and August 2003 respectively. Lampard made 187 appearances, scoring 37 goals, while Joe Cole played 149 times, with 13 goals.
After Saturday's meeting, West Ham United go to Blackburn Rovers on Sunday 9 December while Chelsea will receive Sunderland the day before.
Head to head (last six Barclays Premier League meetings)
18 April 2007 - West Ham United 1-4 Chelsea
18 November 2006 - Chelsea 1-0 West Ham United
9 April 2006 - Chelsea 4-1 West Ham United
2 January 2006 - West Ham United 1-3 Chelsea
3 May 2003 - West Ham United 1-0 Chelsea
28 September 2002 - Chelsea 2-3 West Ham United
The clubs also met on 27 October 2004 when Chelsea won 1-0 in a League Cup third-round tie
General information
All away tickets are now SOLD OUT. For more information on ticketing, click here. For more information on getting to Stamford Bridge, click here
Weather: The forecast for Sunday is for an overcast day with rain. Temperatures are set to peak at around 13C.