Four changes for Chelsea

Chelsea are looking to take advantage of their early kick-off clash with West Ham today by picking up the victory that would take them into second place in the Premier League behind Arsenal, for a few hours at least.

The home side are also looking to extend their unbeaten league run to 70 home fixtures, with Avram Grant having presided over 13 games without defeat since he began as Jose Mourinho’s successor with a 2-0 loss at Manchester United on September 23.

Grant has made four changes following the 4-0 midweek win at Rosenborg in the Champions League with Steve Sidwell, Wayne Bridge, Mikel John Obi and Salomon Kalou replacing Claude Makelele, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Cole and the suspended Michael Essien.

The mid-table Hammers also boast an unbeaten run of five league games, which had been achieved despite a lengthy injury list.

They will be looking for their first Stamford Bridge success in more than five years.

Manager Alan Curbishley makes just one alteration to the side that had drawn 1-1 with Tottenham last week, with ex-Chelsea man Scott Parker replacing Mark Noble in midfield.

Chelsea: Cudicini, Belletti, Alex, Terry, Bridge, Sidwell, Obi, Lampard, Kalou, Drogba, Joe Cole.

Subs: Hilario, Makelele, Shevchenko, Ben-Haim, Wright-Phillips.

West Ham: Green, Neill, Gabbidon, Upson, McCartney, Solano, Parker, Mullins, Etherington, Boa Morte, Cole.

Subs: Wright, Ljungberg, Ashton, Spector, Collins.

Referee: Howard Webb.