Trips to the Boleyn Ground have represented easy pickings for Chelsea in recent times, with only two points shed in their last six visits. Perhaps that was why Sam Allardyce sounded a note of caution ahead of this derby despite the fact the visitors arrive without a win in six league games and with fans still deeply unsettled by the arrival of Rafael Benítez. "Rafa has already sorted out what was a problem under Roberto [Di Matteo]," said Allardyce, reflecting upon Chelsea's successive goalless draws under the Spaniard. Benítez will continue to juggle his resources, and may rest Oscar as he seeks a win to lance the tension. Dominic Fifield
Venue Upton Park, Saturday 12.45pm
Tickets £26-£49 (0871 222 2700)
Last season n/a
Referee M Atkinson
This season's matches 11 Y44, R1, 4.09 cards per game
Odds West Ham 14-5 Chelsea 10-11 Draw 5-2
West Ham
Subs from Spiegel, O'Brien, Taylor, Potts, Spence, Tomkins, Moncur, O'Neil, Fanimo, Maïga, Hall, Cole, Taylor
Doubtful McCartney (ankle), Carroll (knee)
Injured Collison (knee, 26 Dec), Vaz Te (shoulder, Jan), Diarra (thigh, unknown)
Ineligible Benayoun (terms of loan deal)
Form guide LLDWDL
Disciplinary record Y31 R0
Leading scorer Nolan 5
Chelsea
Subs from Turnbull, Hilário, Blackman, Ferreira, Romeu, Bertrand, Piazon, Marin, Hazard
Doubtful None
Injured Sturridge (hamstring, Dec 13), Lampard (calf, Dec 13), Terry (knee, Dec 13)
Suspended David Luiz (one match)
Form guide DDLDDL
Disciplinary record Y19 R2
Leading scorer Mata, Torres 4
Match pointers
• Sam Allardyce has won just two out of 10 Premier League matches as a coach against Rafael Benítez, with the Spaniard coming out on top on six occasions
• Fernando Torres has scored six goals in six Premier League appearances against West Ham, more than against any other top-flight opponents
• James Collins has scored three times against Chelsea, with each of the goals coming via a header
• The visitors have drawn two successive Premier Leagues 0-0 for the first time since September 2004
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