Gameweek 15 begins with the bluster of a London derby, laced with some good old fashioned ill-feeling between the managers. Rafa Benitez and Sam Allardyce face off having traded words in the past, in what promises to be a bruising encounter and one that is set to test the Rafa regime to the full.
Our Dugout Discussion chatroom is now open to catch your reaction to events in this game and all of Saturday’s other seven encounters.
The team news from Upton Park is significant for both sides. The Hammers go into the game without Andy Carroll who has failed to overcome the knee knock suffered in the midweek defeat at Old Trafford – Carlton Cole leads the attack, then. On the plus side, Mark Noble returns from his ban to bolster the midfield, while Gary O’Neil is also drafted in with Matt Taylor and, surprisingly, Mo Diame dropping to the bench.
Once again we can see rotation in the Chelsea lineup. While Juan Mata is restored, it appears that it’s Oscar’s turn to get rested to the bench – he makes way for the Spaniard’s return. Victor Moses and Mikel also come in with Ryan Bertrand and Oriol Romeu dropping out. Gary Cahill replaces the suspended David Luiz as expected.
