Chelsea v West Ham Live Stream Barclays Premier League Preview 17 March 2013
Manager Rafa Benitez won't have enjoyed the reverse fixture with West Ham back in December, which came early in his reign and left him winless after three matches in charge. Sam Allardyce's team came from behind to triumph 3-1 that day, but they haven't won at Stamford Bridge for just over a decade.
The Hammers have found it tough on the road in general this season as well, losing nine times. In the Premier League, only Reading can top that with 11 away defeats.
West Ham have won two of their last four games though and collected a third away win of the season at Stoke on their last away day, bringing to an end a run that had seen them collect just one point from the last 24 available on the road.
Team News:
Chelsea forward Demba Ba could return in place of Fernando Torres for Sunday's clash with West Ham.
Ba was ineligible for the Europa League victory against Steaua Bucharest, when Torres scored the decisive goal, missed a penalty and suffered a bloody nose.
West Ham pair Mark Noble and James Tomkins should be available after respective injury and illness.
Kevin Nolan is a doubt with the foot problem he suffered last month, while Joe Cole (hamstring) misses out.
Left-back George McCartney is close to a return after three months out with a knee injury suffered in training in mid-December.
Head-to-head
West Ham ended a 12-match winless streak against Chelsea by winning the reverse fixture 3-1 in December. The hosts came from behind to triumph thanks to goals from Carlton Cole, Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga.
The Hammers have only taken one point from their last six visits to Stamford Bridge since a 3-2 victory in September 2002. Paolo Di Canio scored twice for the visitors, while Frank Lampard played for Chelsea and John Terry was an unused substitute.
This is the 99th meeting of the clubs in all competitions. They are level on 35 league wins apiece.
Chelsea
Chelsea have taken 28 points from a possible 48 in the league under Rafa Benitez (W8, D4, L4). It's the fourth-best record over this period, behind Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City.
It's 12 years since the Blues last lost a Premier League home game in the month of March, a 4-2 defeat against Sunderland in 2001.
They have the second best goalscoring and defensive records in the division prior to this weekend's fixtures.
Chelsea have been awarded a league-high nine penalties this season and have scored seven of them.
Frank Lampard has scored 199 goals for Chelsea, three behind Bobby Tambling's club record tally. He made his top-flight debut for West Ham in January 1996 and scored 24 goals in 148 league matches for The Hammers before joining Chelsea for £11m in 2001.
Fernando Torres has gone 11 hours and 22 minutes since last scoring a Premier League goal.
Demba Ba scored seven goals in 12 league appearances for West Ham in 2010-11.
West Ham
West Ham have won two of their last four games but taken only 14 points from their last 16 matches.
They earned their first Premier League away win since November in their most recent game, at Stoke a fortnight ago. It ended a dismal run of one point from eight away games.
The Hammers have not managed successive Premier League victories since February-March 2011.
Sam Allardyce's side have conceded a league-high 11 goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches this season.
Competition: Barclays Premier League
Match: Chelsea v West Ham
Date: Sunday,17 March
Kickoff: 16:00 GMT
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Live/Repeat: Live
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