West Ham is terrible away from home so it’s a home win

This season is taking too many turns and twists, Arsenal who we thought were dead and buried 2 weeks ago are level with Chelsea on points. It is the glorious 3-horse race we wanted, Chelsea will rue that they let this race get so tight when they seemed in control. The loss of Essien has hit them hard, they lack that steel determination when the going is tough. Add to that Ashley Cole, Ballack, Balleti, Bosingwa and they have problems. West Ham have deeper problems, they face bankruptcy if the debts of the former Icelandic owners are called in. They also face relegation on the pitch and losing their best players. You have to feel sorry for Gianfranco Zola who has nurtured a fine crop of youngsters and has shielded them from politics off the pitch. The core of the team is highly sellable; Rob Green, Carlton Cole, Mark Noble, John Collison, Matthew Upson, Diamante but many of the other players are yet to mature. On the pitch, the players know each other well. Lampard, Joe Cole, and Carlton Cole have played for both clubs. West Ham will up their game but Chelsea will battle to protect their home record which reads one league defeat in 6 years. West Ham is terrible away from home so you have to see a home win. Drogba is crucial as ever for Chelsea with 25 goals in total and 19 in the league. He disappeared against Man City when they lost 4-2 at home. He should do well against a makeshift West Ham back four. The loss of Ballack might actually help Chelsea , he brings tremendous leadership and resolve to the Blues’ midfield but he really slows it down. Malouda is often sacrificed for the diamond formation. Accommodating Joe Cole has been hard with Anelka in the team, he is often played on the left with little effect. He set up Lampard’s first goal but left a gap in the middle for Barry to exploit. The 4-5-1 is the safest way to championship for Chelsea, it won’t be spectacular but they’ll win games. Drogba is big enough to handle two defenders, he Anelka can come on to change the game later. For West Ham it is crucial that they try to play real football, it is not good enough to try and hold Chelsea because they will outmuscle you. You have to try and play clever, Zola has the players to do so. Carlton Cole is a former youth team player at Chelsea, he has since improved his workrate and attitude and is being considered for England in WC2010. Diamante is an instinctive genius with a bionic left foot, he can open a team with a single pass but that won’t stop Carlo Ancelotti’s side from taking maximum points. ramaisibo@hotmail.com