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Match preview - West Ham vs. Chelsea - 'Crisis' clubs both seek maximum points in London derby
40 points from 17 played, top of the Premier League table, three points clear of their nearest rivals - what Gianfranco Zola would give for his West Ham United side to be enduring a 'crisis' of similar standing to Carlo Ancellotti at Chelsea.
 When the Italian counterpart’s sides meet at Upton Park on Sunday afternoon, (other results depending) anything but a win for the hosts could well see the Hammers amidst a relegation battle and full blown crisis. Chelsea coach Ancellotti was quick to disregard mumblings of a 'crisis' at Stamford Bridge. That the blues had failed to win in their four games prior to their midweek win against Portsmouth was of no great alarm. Though the points dropped in the Eastlands defeat to top four hopefuls Manchester City and the 3-3 home draw with a spirited Everton allowed the chasing pack to make up ground in the title race, a meaningless Champions league tie irrelevant to Chelsea's assured progression to the knockout stages and a penalty shoot out defeat in the Carling Cup to Blackburn would have lost them no sleep. Zola and all others at West Ham will be struggling to get any sleep however as the Hammers have managed just four points from their last six league matches. Takeover speculation, financial restrictions, injuries and suspensions have all played their part in what is potentially a disastrous situation for the club. A visit form the league leaders looks set to send West Ham into the Christmas period in the cursed spot at the foot of the table.
West Ham - Goalkeeper Robert Green's howler which aided in sending the Hammers down at Bolton in midweek will do nothing to harm his selection chances - at club level anyway. Without skipper Matthew Upson, the defence has looked suspect with the returning Danny Gabbidon displaying rustiness associated to lengthy layoffs. In midfield, Vice Captain Scott Parker has proved a notable performer despite the clubs on and off field problems and will hope to continue his good form against his former employers. The long awaited return of Kieron Dyer again proved a false start following his latest injury setback, so Mark Noble available again following suspension, is likely to resume duties in the middle where Jack Collison and Radoslav Kovac were overrun by Gary Megson’s Bolton. Robbed of Carton Cole until the New Year, the attack has lacked real power or guile, so Zola will look to free signing Franco to go some way to filling the void left by the England World Cup hopeful.
1 Green
-20 Faubert - 30 Tomkins - 15 Upson - 23 Ilunga
32 Diamanti - 8 Parker - 14 Kovac - 16 Noble - 46 Stanislas
10 Franco
Chelsea - Like his opposite West Ham number, Petr Cech has found himself at fault in Chelsea's recent hiccups, but will be fully expected to start in goal for the visitors. Ricardo Carvalho and fit again Alex will compete to partner skipper JohnTerry at centre-back, with full backs Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole completing the back four. John Obi Mikel will continue to deputise for the absent Micheal Essien in Ancellotti's favoured diamond formation. Ex-hammer players Frank Lampard and Joe Cole could both start with either Deco or Micheal Ballack completing the midfield four. Dider Drogba, with 16 goals in all competitions so far, is likely to return form the back strain which kept him out of the visit from Portsmouth and continue his impressive partnership with Nicholas Anelka in attack.
1 Cech
2 Ivanovic - 26 Terry (c) - 33 Alex - 3 A.Cole
12 Mikel
13 Ballack - 8 Lampard
10 J.Cole
11 Drogba - 39 Anelka
Revered at Stamford Bridge for their time as honest professionals, West Ham's management team of Zola and assistant Steve Clarke will know sentiment will be spared by the visiting Chelsea. With recent performances allowing Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United to make up ground in the title race, Ancellotti will have it drummed into his players how vital three points would be going into the festive period. For Lampard, often the pantomime villain of the fixture, this London derby will hold extra significance. Zola will see anything other than a heavy defeat as a success, but with an attack blunted by the loss of fellow former Chelsea man Carlton Cole and a defence looking vulnerable without the assured presence of Matthew Upson, the Italian will see little reason from the fixture to be jolly.
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