Dimitri Payet and Michail Antonio should find the space to cause an upset at Stamford Bridge, warns Alex Keble...
Slaven Bilic’s switch to a 3-5-2 formation has given West Ham a new lease of life, with Michail Antonio arguably the key beneficiary in this narrow counter-attacking system.
West Ham’s formation change is perfectly suited to their strengths. It has allowed them to continue to play in an aggressive, narrow style whilst simultaneously creating extra width via wing-backs
Chelsea continue to look uncomfortable with a makeshift left side of defence – Brazilian Kenedy played there last time out at Everton – and thus the Hammers could claim another major scalp at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
West Ham’s formation change is perfectly suited to their strengths. It has allowed them to continue to play in an aggressive (average 22.2 tackles per game against fellow top-seven sides), narrow style (with three central defenders and three defensive central midfielders) while simultaneously creating extra width via wing-backs. Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini have freer roles behind the striker.
Cheikhou Kouyate has dropped into a back three (but uses his midfielder instincts to step out and meet the opposition playmaker when necessary) to maintain their vice-like grip in congested central zones, and, as Payet and Lanzini draw the game inwards when countering, West Ham’s wing-backs can burst forward in a lot of space.
Sting in Michail
Antonio has scored five goals in his last eight games and was exceptional against Everton a fortnight ago when ghosting unseen down the right channel. He'll fancy his chances again here.
Chelsea continue to look vulnerable from crosses into the box, as evidenced in recent matches against Norwich and Stoke in which they were fortunate to escape with four points.
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It wouldn't be surprising if Payet and Lanzini find enough space in their free roles around John Obi Mikel and Nemanja Matic to whip crosses in towards Antonio. The former Nottingham Forest man has scored five headers from as many efforts this season.
