Chelsea, under manager Antonio Conte, have looked a solid team in the last few matches in the Premier League, registering three impressive wins. Now, they will be keen to carry that form in the fourth round of the EFL Cup, which is London Derby as the Blues are set to face West Ham at the London Stadium on Wednesday.
After Conte's new 3-4-3 formation for the Blues, they have looked a dangerous team. Chelsea have played some positive football, as Manchester United witnessed in their last PL game, as the Red Devils were humiliated 4-0. Such has been the impact of the new formation that one does not see him changing that against West Ham.
The Blues, besides coming into this match with a winning mentality, will go into this EFL clash as a confident unit as they have already defeated West Ham earlier in the Premier League, 2-1. With stars like Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Oscar having shown good form in the last few matches, it remains to be seen if the manager decides to make some changes for the EFL Cup. Conte has not decided about his starting line-up, but hinted John Terry could feature.
'He's (Terry) fit to start, he's in good shape. Tomorrow I will decide the starting 11 but John's fit and he's been training well," Chelsea's official website quoted Conte as saying.
Besides Terry, one should not be too surprised if Michy Batshuayi gets a string role in the team as the Belgian has impressed in whatever chances he has got in the PL.
"The confidence for Michy must be high because he's a young player. He can make big improvements; he has great quality in the technical and physical aspect. He's working very well. He's started two games and I have full confidence in him," Conte said.
"I'm sure if he plays he will have a good game. When you are in a great team and you have the possibility to work every day with great players and learn a lot of things it's very good for him. We trust in him a lot. He must continue to work and exploit the moments he plays."
West Ham, who looked a good side last season, have not been able to shine this season. They currently lie in 15th place in the league, and goals have been hard to come by though they have registered back-to-back victories of late.
The Hammers can use these recent results as an inspiration to achieve greater things, as they seem to be a confident team now. Manager Slaven Bilic wants his team to be focussed for the match.
"Yeah, we have seven points from three games, and we have a couple of wins and a couple of clean sheets. Of course the confidence is back now and we have to continue like this and approach every game like it's our last game; totally focused. If we do that, we should be alright," West Ham's official website quoted Bilic as saying.
The manager is aware of the big task, but he wants his players to shine on the day and knock the Blues out of the competition.
"It's a one-off London derby in the cup, and it's a very interesting competition for us. Five or six years ago, teams were not so keen on this cup, but look at the last few seasons, and everyone is trying. Last year we did well against Chelsea, beating them at home and drawing away, and this is a new season. But we have got our confidence back and have a couple of wins and we're very positive and we'll try to knock them out," Bilic said.
It is not an impossible task to oust Chelsea, but for that to happen, West Ham need their star players including Dimitri Payet, who has been shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or and Simone Zaza to deliver the goods.
Watch West Ham vs Chelsea live
West Ham vs Chelsea EFL Cup is scheduled for 7.45 pm BST (12.15 am IST, 2.45 am ET) start. TV and Live streaming options can be found below.
India: TV: Ten 1. Live streaming: Ten Sports live.
UK: TV: There is no live TV coverage no streaming options, but fans can listen live on BBC Radio 5 live extra
Middle East, US: Live streaming: Bein Sports Connect
South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa: TV: SuperSport 5. Live Streaming: SuperSport Live Video.
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