Wednesday evening’s game at Upton Park will see West Ham United attempt to halt their winless run against league leaders Chelsea.

The Hammers have drawn three and lost three of their last six games in all competitions, with the latest of those defeats coming at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday lunchtime.

They now sit nine points behind fifth place Southampton, and will hope to return to winning ways soon if they are to have any chance of ending the season in a European qualification place.

Manager Sam Allardyce could hand Nene his first start after the forward made his debut off the bench at the weekend, with Carlton Cole still out injured while Morgan Amalfitano remains suspended.

Diafra Sakho is 9.5 (17/2) with Bet 365 to open the scoring, ahead of Enner Valencia who can be backed at 11.0 (10/1) with Paddy Power.

The home win is as highly priced as the 6.25 (21/4) on offer from Bet 365, with the visitors favourites at 1.65 (13/20) with a number of firms. The draw is a 4.1 (31/10) shot with Bet Victor.

Jose Mourinho’s men, fresh from beating Tottenham Hotspur by two goals to nil in the League Cup final at Wembley at the weekend, go in to this game five points clear of champions Manchester City with a game in hand.

The defeat to Bradford City in the fourth round of the FA Cup was their only loss in their last twelve games in all competitions, and they will be confident of extending that run against a side they have lost to just once in almost twelve years.

Nemanja Matic will miss the game as he serves the final game of his suspension, while John Obi Mikel is doubtful with a knee problem.

Diego Costa is favourite to net first at 5.0 (4/1) with Coral, who have Eden Hazard priced at 7.5 (13/2).

Goals from captain John Terry and Costa secured a 2-0 victory for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.

That was the fifth clean sheet in their last six meetings with West Ham, and they can be backed at 2.38 (11/8) with Sky Bet to shut out their opposition once more here while the away win to nil is a 2.88 (15/8) chance with the same firm.