West Ham vs Chelsea Q&A: Just how much do they dislike those London rivals? Will Jose Mourinho feel the heat? And which star could seal derby at Upton Park?

• Diego Costa isn't a player West Ham fans have particularly taken to 
• Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho needs a result in the London derby
• West Ham haven't beaten Chelsea for almost three years 

By Sportsmail Reporter

Published: 03:08 EST, 24 October 2015 | Updated: 03:08 EST, 24 October 2015

There may have been some remnants of a Chelsea recovery in the last week, but Jose Mourinho knows the champions are in for a game when they cross London to face West Ham. 

Slaven Bilic's side have been one of the surprise packages thus far, having already toppled Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.  

Sportsmail asked 90min bloggers from each side - West Ham's Joe Difford and Chelsea's Kavan Flavius - ten pertinent questions ahead of one of the most eagerly-awaited London derby for years. 

1. What it is about them and their fans you dislike so much?

West Ham view: Chelsea fans have very short memories, and seem to forget that Roman Abramovich has bought their titles.

Chelsea view: The way they treated Frank Lampard. He was always a professional and they left him with no choice when he left, but fans continually booed him during derbies. 

West Ham fans claim that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (centre) has bought Premier League titles 

Frank Lampard slams a penalty home against old club West Ham United in the 2004 Carling Cup 

2. How much satisfaction do you get from beating them compared to other teams?

West Ham view: Beating Chelsea is a great feeling, although it isn’t one we Hammers fans get to experience enough. Taking three points from a top side is one thing, but when it’s a London rival it is even more satisfying.

Chelsea view: It’s right up there with beating Arsenal and Tottenham. A victory against West Ham, especially away, is almost always more satisfactory than beating other teams outside the top four.

3. What is your most memorable victory?

West Ham view: Chants of ‘sacked in the morning’ echoed around the Boleyn Ground as we beat the Blues 3-1 at home in 2012. Rafa Benitez’s side opened the scoring, before Carlton Cole, Mo Diame and Modibo Maiga knocked them for six.

Chelsea view: A 3-0 victory on their home ground back in 2013. It was really special because Lamps came up with a wonderful brace. Oscar also won a penalty and added a goal of his own.

West Ham last beat Chelsea in December 2012 (Carlton Cole pictured scoring at Upton Park)

Chelsea supporters aired their views about interim manager Rafa Benitez after the 3-0 defeat

4. And your most painful defeat?

West Ham view: The most painful defeat in recent memory was the 4-0 hammering in 2008, where 10-man Chelsea ran riot at Upton Park. The worst part of that game? Seeing Frank Lampard and Joe Cole score, having been brought up in claret and blue.

Chelsea view: A 3-1 loss in 2012. They really kicked us while we were down. We opened the scoring in the first half through Juan Mata, but they pulled off a great comeback in the second half with Carlton Cole scoring the leveller, Mohamed Diame giving them the lead and Modibo Maiga burying us in the 90th minute.

5. Who is your most disliked player from their team (past or present)?

West Ham view: Without a doubt Diego Costa. The man acts tough, but throws his toys out of the pram like a delusional child when decisions don’t go his way. He may be a great player, but he is overly aggressive; I’m glad he isn’t in our squad.

Chelsea view: To be honest, I haven’t really come across a West Ham player who really got under my skin. Guess they get a pass on that one.

Predictably, Diego Costa (right, with Carl Jenkinson) is the Chelsea man West Ham fans dislike the most

6. Who has been your team's star performer this season?

West Ham view: Dimitri Payet has not only been our best player this season, but arguably the best in the Premier League. He has scored five goals, assisted three and is Europe’s most creative player. He oozes class and glides past opposition players with flair unseen in claret and blue for years.

Chelsea view: Willian surely. He seems the only player to have improved from last season. He always had great energy and contributed lots defensively, but now that he has added goals to his game, he looks a very special player.

7. Which opposition player do you most fear will win it for them?

West Ham: Sadly, Costa. The Spaniard is such a pain for defenders as they know he will throw himself to the ground at any given opportunity. He fights and tussles and takes his chances, so the centre backs will have to be strong but level-headed in the challenge.

Chelsea view: Dimitri Payet has been superb this season. He could really do it for them if we don’t pay close attention.

Dimitri Payet has consistently bamboozled Premier League defenders since his summer move from Marseille

Willian (right, pictured training on Friday0 has been a ray of light during a disastrous start to the campaign

Jose Mourinho has been under mounds of pressure to get results after a confused beginning to this year

8. Which manager will be under the most pressure if they lose?

West Ham view: Jose Mourinho is already under a lot of pressure, picking up his first win in five Premier League games against a good-looking Aston Villa side. If the Special One loses on Saturday, it could put him incredibly close to losing his job.

Chelsea view: Jose Mourinho obviously. West Ham are in great form, and despite our poor position, it wouldn’t be that shameful if they were to lose to us. Mourinho, on the other hand, is under pressure and needs results to go his way. Things could go downhill for him if he can’t avoid defeat.

9. If you were manager, who would you pick and what would your tactics be?

West Ham view: If I were Slaven Bilic, I would obviously go for Adrian in goal, with Jenkinson, Tomkins, Ogbonna and Cresswell in defence. I would prefer Tomkins at right-back, but Winston Reid is nursing an injury. In midfield, Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate have formed a great partnership, and we should see Lanzini, Payet and Michail Antonio in front of them, as Victor Moses can’t play against his parent side. 

Diafra Sakho will almost certainly be the lone striker. As West Ham have done in their victories against other top sides, it should be a simple counter-attacking game for Bilic.

Chelsea view: I would go with a 4-3-3 formation. Costa would spearhead the attack with Loic Remy on his left flank and Willian on his right. I would go with Matic in the middle, play Ramires in right midfield with Eden Hazard on the opposite side.

Baba Rahman would start at left-back, John Terry and Kurt Zouma in central defence, with Cesar Azpilicueta covering the right side. I think that this formation would provide great balance, in addition to taking defensive pressure off Matic, while allowing the forward men to attack with a bit more freedom.

10. Prediction for Saturday/Sunday?

West Ham view: Although many will disagree, I think West Ham will edge Saturday’s game, as they will be fired up to make it four wins against four top sides. Playing at home hasn’t been good for the Hammers, but the counter-attacking style has, and this game will be perfect for the tactic that seems to suit the Hammers best. My bet is 1-0 to West Ham United.

Chelsea view: West Ham 0-1 Chelsea 

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