Chelsea v West Ham preview

Catch all the action live on Sky Sports 1, KO 12:45

Last updated: 30th November 2007

West Ham striker Dean Ashton

Ashton: Could start against Chelsea

skysports.com prediction: Chelsea 2 West Ham 0

Player to watch: Didier Drogba

Sky Bet odds: Chelsea 1/4 Draw 4/1 West Ham 8/1

Click here for full odds.

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Chelsea turn their attentions back to domestic action after their midweek UEFA Champions League drubbing of Rosenborg, with West Ham the visitors to Stamford Bridge.

It's west-meets-east in Saturday's London derby, and Blues coach Avram Grant may shuffle his pack as he attempts to take the club's record unbeaten home run to an incredible 70 games.

Grant will definitely be without Michael Essien, who is suspended after being sent off in his side's 2-0 win at rock-bottom Derby County. Ricardo Carvalho is still out after cracking a vertebrae against Everton, while goalkeeper Petr Cech has made a speedy recovery from a calf injury and is set to return in place of Carlo Cudicini.

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has been boosted by the return of striker Dean Ashton and midfielder Scott Parker, who are in contention to start after coming through a midweek reserve game unscathed.

Freddie Ljungberg is fit again after the migraine that ruled him out of the last match against Tottenham, but Lee Bowyer (hernia) faces a fitness test and Craig Bellamy (groin) is definitely out.

The Hammers are also in a good vein of form, unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches.