Game Week 36 Predictions: Chelsea must beat West Ham to keep European dreams alive

Premier League showdown: Chelsea vs West Ham match preview, lineup predictions, and verdict.

Chelsea's season could still end on a high, a win over West Ham could take them up to 7th, pending when United travels to Crystal Palace on Monday. (Photo credit: GOAL)

Chelsea vs West Ham
Stamford Bridge Stadium
2:00pm

Newcastle’s win over Burnley on Saturday has narrowed Chelsea’s chance of finishing in European places but, the Blues can still Usurp Manchester United.

The race for Europa Conference League is interesting, West Ham, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle are all in the mix with the latter two eyeing Europa League, the four could still end up with any of the European competitions and, they could all still end up with nothing.

West Ham reportedly wants to see the back of David Moyes at the end of the season, the Scott guided them to an Europa Conference League title last season but the Hammers have endured a torrid season, crashing out of the Europa League in the quarter final and, now at the risk of not returning to Europe next season.

Chelsea beat Tottenham in midweek 2-0 to boost their chances of making it to Europe despite their indifferent season, the Blues could go as high as seventh with a win over their West London rivals on Sunday, that is the right amount of motivation.

West Ham would go straight above Chelsea with a win at Stamford Bridge, this makes this fixture a potential cracker on Sunday, respective losses for Bournemouth and Wolves on Saturday meant both sides are completely out of the running for Europa, but they’re also mathematically in the Conference League mix.

Chelsea is still the favorite to seventh, United plays Arsenal next week Sunday, right after they travel to in-form Crystal Palace, it is in Chelsea’s hands as things stand, they have superior goal difference on United, they cannot afford to pass on the opportunity to end well despite their horrible form.

The Hammers are without a win in their last five games, the 5-2 loss at Palace heaped more pressure on Moyes but, he the 2-2 draw last weekend against Liverpool glossed over things, meaning they have it in them to trouble anyone.

How will they line up? Levi Colwill and Chris Nkunku are both available for selection, Tiago Silva may have played his last game for Chelsea with news breaking out that he could be off to Brazil when his contract expires this summer.

Trevor Chalobah was the star in midfield, he is expected to once again partner Benoit Badiashile in defense while, Cole Palmer will hope to add to his goal tally on Sunday. Alfie Gilchrist will continue to deputize for the missing defenders on the right, expect Noni Madueke to return too.

Angelo Ogbonna will continue in defense as Mavropanos and Nayef Aguerd both continue to recuperate. Lucas Paqueta will be one to watch for the visitors, he makes things tick and, could be immense alongside Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus.