Premier League leaders Chelsea face a tricky trip to West Ham this evening (8pm kick-off) looking to re-establish their ten-point at the top of the division.

Antonio Conte’s side saw both Tottenham and Manchester City win over the weekend, with the former reducing the gap between themselves and the leaders to just seven points after beating in-form Everton 3-2 at White Hart Lane.

However, the Blues will look to record an 18th league victory in 21 games when they travel to East London this evening, which would once again re-open that ten-point gap with just 11 games of the season remaining.

Yet, Slaven Bilic’s West Ham have been much-improved over the last few months, winning six of their 12 Premier League games since the start of December, and they are one of just two sides to have beaten Chelsea since the end of September, as they got past the Blues in the League Cup back in October.

Nonetheless, Conte’s side will go in as favourites this evening, and here are THREE reasons why they will pick up the three points at the London Stadium tonight…

One league defeat since September

Quite simply, Chelsea are the best team in the Premier League, and have been since the end of September.

The Blues were eighth and eight points behind Manchester City following their 3-0 defeat to Arsenal on September 24, but since then they have won 17 of their 20 league games, losing just the once away at Tottenham in January.

Although they have won just one of their last four league games on the road, only City have picked up more points away from home than Conte’s men, who will see a trip to the London Stadium, a place West Ham still aren’t overly comfortable with, as a chance to continue their brilliant away record.

Forward players in fine form

Diego Costa has netted 16 goals in the Premier League this season, Eden Hazard has ten, and Pedro and William have seven and five respectively.

More importantly though, all four have been in amongst the goals in recent games to continue their fine form so far this term.

Spaniard Costa netted against Swansea in their last league outing, as did Pedro, whose goal and assist added to his strike in the draw at Burnley a few weeks earlier.

Belgian international Hazard of course netted that stunning goal against Arsenal at the start of February, and did register an assist against the Swans, while although Willian hasn’t always featured in the Premier League, he got an assist in the FA Cup success at Wolves last month.

Clearly, whoever lines up for the Blues upfront, they are all in good form and have contributed in their last few games, which gives West Ham the unenviable task of trying to thwart one of the Premier League’s most deadly attacks this evening.

Pressure on after Spurs and City wins

Both Tottenham and Manchester City did exactly what they needed to do over the weekend to keep the pressure on Chelsea.

Spurs got past Everton 3-2 to go within seven points of the leaders, while Pep Guardiola’s Citizens comfortably beat Sunderland 2-0 at the Stadium of Light to get to within eight points.

Although they still have a healthy gap over the aforementioned two, there is still a bit of pressure on the Blues to get the three points tonight, especially as they still have to face City in the league this term, as well as trips to Manchester United and Everton at the end of April.

The teams below them are doing what they can to close the gap, but it’s now up to Chelsea to slam the door shut once again, as victory at the London Stadium would reinstate their ten-point cushion with just 11 games of the season remaining.