West Ham look to exploit Chelsea’s home disadvantage
Chelsea/West Ham, 4pm Sun, Sky Sports 1, Best Odds, Free Bets
Gianfranco Zola returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time as a manager this Sunday alongside assistant Steve Clarke, who probably wishes he never left the title favourites for a relegation battle at West Ham. The Hammers took a point at Anfield a fortnight ago and will take heart from Chelsea’s poor home form but they are 16/1 with 888sport and Boylesports and are unlikely to travel back across London with any points on board. Here are all the key facts:
HOME DISADVANTAGE
Both Chelsea and West Ham have taken more points on the road than they have at home in recent times. This season Chelsea have taken a maximum of 24 points on their travels while picking up just half of that (12) from the same number of home games, winning just three of six. West Ham have taken eight points from their last six away games, which is double what they have taken from their last six at the Boleyn.
SLENDER MARGINS
Whereas Chelsea have scored eleven goals in their last three visits to the Boleyn, they tend to have to battle harder for the three points at Stamford Bridge. Last season it took a 75th minute from Joe Cole to sink their local rivals and on three of the last four occasions the tie has finished 1-0 to the Blues. Betfair offer 7.6 on Sunday’s encounter again ending 1-0.
CUDICINI EDGES CECH
Tags: 888sport, Anfield, Away Form, Betfair, Big Four, Boleyn Ground, Bolton, Boylesports, Carlo Cudicini, Chelsea, Correct Score, Didier Drogba, First Goalscorer, Football, Frank Lampard, Gianfranco Zola, Home Form, Joe Cole, John Terry, Ladbrokes, London derby, Nicolas Anelka, Petr Cech, Premier League, Relegation, Stamford Bridge, Steve Clarke, West Ham
Posted: December 13th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment 
