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West Ham enjoyed a massive and important win over Chelsea earlier this season, one that helped cement their giant-killing reputation they've enjoyed this season, and one that helped further propel Chelsea's early-season collapse that drove them down the table and Jose Mourinho out of his job. Now they have a chance to knock Chelsea down another peg, and possibly throw themselves deeper into the race for the top four in the Premier League, as they sit just three points behind third-place Arsenal.
Of course, that might be easier said than done. While Chelsea suffered significant setbacks in the Champions League and FA Cup in recent weeks, getting beaten soundly by Paris Saint-Germain and Everton. That said, they haven't lost in the league since December, and while their play hasn't exactly been sexy and high-flying most of the time, they've been awfully tough to break down and force into the kind of mistakes that West Ham punished so thoroughly earlier in the season. Beating this Chelsea team is going to be a much fiercer challenge this time around for West Ham than it was earlier this season.
Key player -- Dimitri Payet (West Ham)
Payet's tremendous attacking talents in the attacking midfield band are just what the doctor ordered for West Ham if they're going to beat Chelsea. He's dangerous in so many ways, and Chelsea just don't have a player who matches up well with him right now. When Payet is healthy and in-form, West Ham are so much better for it. If Chelsea can't find a way to neutralize him this match might be over before it starts.
Key matchup -- Willian (Chelsea) vs. Aaron Cresswell & Mikhail Antonio (West Ham)
The one truly notable weakness that West Ham suffer from is in wide defense. Cresswell is a perfectly fine left back, but against players with elite pace or technical skill he struggles. Antonio is an excellent attacking presence on the right side, but he isn't up to par defensively. Whether they work as fullbacks in a back four or as wingbacks supported by a back three, they'll be the one major point that Chelsea can work to exploit -- and that's where Willian and his tireless running and excellent creative skills come into play. He can work both sides of the pitch to find an opening, and when he does, he can and will hammer at it until it cracks.
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: Eden Hazard, Kurt Zouma, Radamel Falcao
West Ham United injuries and suspensions
Out: James Collins, James Tomkins, Carl Jenkinson
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 11 a..m. ET, 3 p.m. local
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S.), TSN1, RDS 2 (Canada)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.)