Leaders Stop Hammer Time

This London derby features two sides in the top four but it remains impossible to back anything other than a Chelsea win given their imperious league record at Stamford Bridge (P8 W8 F20 A3).

However, our dilemma is whether to back a home win to nil (5/4 Boylesports) or the home win with both teams scoring (11/5 Coral). Even with the Blues’ imposing defence, it is the latter option which should be picked at the much bigger price.

Firstly, West Ham have found the net in all eight of their away fixtures in 2014-15. Indeed, they average 1.88 goals per game on their travels, the third best record in the top flight. Secondly, this is no fluke. The Hammers average 15.6 shots per away game as Sam Allardyce has thrown off the shackles to great effect; not even Chelsea can match that on the road (14.7 shots per game).

This season’s surprise package have only come unstuck away to Man Utd and Everton so far this season. West Ham lost both those matches 2-1 and we should expect a similar outcome on Boxing Day.