Chelsea vs West Ham, Premier League 2016: Preview, Predicted Lineups, Tv Info

Chelsea vs West Ham
Premier League 2016
Date: Monday, 15 August, 2016
Time: 20:00 BST
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Tv Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK); USA Network (USA); Star Sports 4 / Select HD 1 (India)
Chelsea’s 2016-17 Premier League campaign officially gets underway on Monday night when the Blues take on London rivals West Ham at Stamford Bridge, with a live in-play betting schedule available for a variety of sports competitions including football.
The season opener will also mark the start of Antonio Conte’s reign as a Chelsea manager, and the Blues will be hoping to kick start the new era with a win.
West Ham, on the other hand, should be up for the tie (the fitness level will be of a higher standard at least) having started their competitive season with the Europa League campaign last month.
Chelsea are undefeated in 19 of their last 21 matches against West Ham, but the Hammers got the better off their London rivals last season, winning 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground, with their winning goals coming from former Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.
Carroll also scored in the return leg at the Bridge, but Cesc Fabregas prevented further embarrassment by scoring late from a spot kick in the 89^th minute to level the tie 2-2.
Chelsea vs West Ham: Team News
Conte is without defender Kurt Zouma for the tie against West Ham; the Frenchman is still recovering from the ACL tear suffered last season.
John Obi Mikel is currently away on national duty at the Olympics and hence unavailable to feature.
West Ham are going through a minor injury crisis at the moment with four players are likely to miss their first game of the season.
Attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini and left back Aaron Creswell are out with knee injuries while Diafra Sakho will also miss out.
Gokhan Tore is still struggling with a knee problem while French superstar Dimitri Payet still not fit enough to start for the Hammers following his participation in Euro 2016.
Andre Ayew, the club’s record signing, should make his debut for the Hammers while Havard Nordtveit and Sofiane Feghouli, the other two new signings, should start as well.
Chelsea vs West Ham: Predicted XI
The biggest question facing the Chelsea team is whether Conte will start with a three-man midfield in 4-3-3 or four-man attacking midfield set up in 4-1-4-1.
In all probability, he will stick with his 4-3-3 line up with Kante and Matic locked as starters. Oscar could be given the nod in midfield ahead of Fabregas, but the Spaniard is equally suited to the role.
Predicted line-up [4-3-3]: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Terry, Cahill, Ivanović; Matić, Kanté, Oscar; Hazard, Costa, Willian
Caroll will start as a lone striker in Bilic’s 4-3-3 line up, supported by Ayew and Feghouli on the flanks. Noble, Nordtveit and Kouyate likely to form the three-man midfield for the Hammers.
Predicted line-up [4-3-3]: Adrian; Masuaku, Ogbonna, Reid, Antonio; Noble, Nordtveit, Kouyate; Ayew, Carroll, Feghouli
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 West Ham