West Ham United head into Sunday's London derby with Chelsea on the back of recording their first Premier League victory of the season against Everton last weekend.
Chelsea currently sit at the top of the standings after five successive wins, and Maurizio Sarri will be keen to make that six ahead of the visit of Liverpool next Saturday.
West Ham United
© ReutersWest Ham's outlay during the summer transfer window has resulted in the rise in expectations in East London, and the club's hierarchy and supporters finally started to get a return on their investment last weekend.
The success over Everton was far from a formality - even when leading by two goals heading into the final quarter - but the performance and result was an example of what can be achieved when everything clicks for Manuel Pellegrini's team.
Pellegrini has claimed that attacker Andriy Yarmolenko requires a few more weeks to settle into life in the Premier League, but the Ukraine international looks like he has adapted to English football at a time when the Hammers need his firepower and creativity in the final third.
The Hammers had to rely on Marko Arnautovic during the last campaign, but Yarmolenko and fellow summer signing Felipe Anderson are beginning to show what they are capable of in this division.
However, issues remain in defence with West Ham still yet to keep a clean sheet this season, and Everton were allowed to take 16 shots at Goodison Park last weekend.
Wolverhampton Wanderers created a similar number of opportunities in the previous match, and it leaves Pellegrini with much work to do in order to avoid any kind of a relegation battle this season.
West Ham's fixture list is unrelenting with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur both visitors to the London Stadium by October 20, but it is that kind of match which could act as the catalyst for an improvement in consistency and quality in each area of the pitch.
The Hammers have a strong home record against Chelsea, but it appears inevitable that Chelsea will dominate possession and potentially frustrate their hosts on Sunday afternoon.
However, playing the role of underdogs may suit a team who are now having to deal with increased pressure each week, and that could be all the motivation that West Ham need when taking on the league leaders.
Recent form: LLLLW
Recent form (all competitions): LLLWLW
Chelsea
© ReutersChelsea have been far from perfect during their six competitive matches this season, but Maurizio Sarri has already established a winning mentality at Stamford Bridge and the Blues will only improve as the season progresses.
The opening set of fixtures have been kind to a club in transition, but a perfect record in all competitions suggests that Sarri can become a success in West London.
Chelsea arguably look more equipped to succeed away from home given their possession-based game, with Huddersfield Town, Newcastle United and PAOK barely seeing any of the ball in games on their own patch.
The latter had been tipped to cause Chelsea problems in the Europa League in midweek, but the Greek outfit barely created an opportunity as the visitors forced their hosts onto the back foot.
Sarri will be delighted with the number of opportunities that his side are creating, but the Italian will want more of a return from both Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata, who have just one goal between them so far.
The creative trio of Eden Hazard, Willian and Pedro are performing close to the top of their game, but a big plus has been the fitness and showings of Ross Barkley, who is enjoying working under Sarri.
Barkley has struggled with injuries over the past 18 months, but the Englishman made his fourth start of the campaign on Thursday night and produced arguably his best display to date in a Chelsea shirt.
Chelsea have important home clashes with Liverpool and Manchester United to come, but if another three points can be recorded this weekend, Sarri and his squad will be in perfect shape heading into the first of that double-header.
Recent form: WWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWW
Team News
© ReutersPellegrini revealed at his pre-match press conference that Arnautovic remains a doubt for Sunday's game due to a knee injury sustained against Everton.
Michail Antonio is a likely starter should the Austrian international fail to shake off the issue in the coming days.
Jack Wilshere is out after ankle surgery, while Javier Hernandez is expected to remain on the sidelines due to a virus.
Sarri has suggested that Pedro avoided a serious arm injury against PAOK, but the Spaniard is unlikely to start with Hazard available again after being rested.
David Luiz will also come back into the defence to partner Antonio Rudiger, while Cesar Azpilicueta will return at right-back.
Giroud is expected to replace Morata in attack, while Sarri must decide who to select out of Cesc Fabregas, Mateo Kovacic and Barkley in the centre of the park.
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Zabaleta, Balbuena, Diop, Masuaku; Rice, Noble, Obiang; Yarmolenko, Anderson, Arnautovic
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Jorginho, Kovacic; Willian, Kante, Hazard; Giroud
Head To Head
Sunday's fixture represents the 111th competitive meeting between the two clubs, with Chelsea registering 49 victories in comparison to 40 wins for West Ham.
The last 10 contests have been evenly matched, with Chelsea winning four times and West Ham claiming three triumphs, two of which have come at the London Stadium.
Chelsea have suffered defeat on their last three visits to the Hammers.
We say: West Ham United 1-3 Chelsea
The mood at the London Stadium should be a positive one after last week's success on Merseyside, but Chelsea possess the style of play to frustrate both the opposition and their supporters, and we expect Chelsea to run out comfortable victors in East London.
