West Ham players celebrate Dimitri Payet's goal against Crystal Palace. (Photo : Getty Images)
Contending squad West Ham United (5-2-2, 17 points) is set to clash with struggling defending champions Chelsea (3-4-2, 11 points) on Saturday at the Boleyn Ground for a 2015-2016 Premier League season match.
The Irons had been unbeaten since their 3-4 defeat to Bournemouth in week 3 of the competitions. Along the way, Slaven Bilić's boys have defeated some of the best teams the English top flight has to offer, such as Liverpool and Manchester City.
After drawing their week 7 and 8 matches, the Hammers pounded Crystal Palace, 3-1, at the Selhurst Park last Saturday to move up to the fourth spot in the league table, via BBC Sport.
Right back Carl Jenkinson scored at the 22nd minute before the Eagles' Yohan Cabaye equalized it three minutes later with a penalty kick.
Palace forward Dwight Gayle was sent off right before halftime, which resulted in two late second half goals by midfielders Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet for the Upton Park side en route to the convincing win.
Meanwhile, the Blues was able to find some life in their current disappointing season as they outpointed bottom-dweller Aston Villa, 2-0, at the Stamford Bridge also last Saturday, as reported by ESPN.
A first half strike by forward Diego Costa followed by an own goal by Villa defender Alan Hutton at the 54th minute shoved Chelsea to only their second win in six matches.
The Irons are a slight favorite against the Blues in this encounter as Bilić is keen on extending their undefeated run while there had been allegedly an internal turmoil in Chelsea between manager Jose Mourinho and winger Eden Hazard.
The prediction is a close 2-1 win for West Ham.
West Ham starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Adrián; Tomkins, Cresswell, Jenkinson, Collins; Moses, Kouyaté; Lanzini, Noble, Payet; Sakho
Chelsea starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Begovic; Rahman, Terry, Azpilicueta, Zouma; Loftus-Cheek, Fàbregas; Willian, Hazard, Remy; Costa
