Chelsea enters this match as the favorites, with a strong chance of securing a victory against West Ham United.
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West Ham United will host Chelsea at the London Stadium in a highly anticipated Premier League clash this Saturday.
Both teams are coming off mixed results in recent weeks and will be looking to assert their dominance as the season picks up pace.
Chelsea, seeking to secure their third successive away victory, face a West Ham side eager to improve their form at home.
Recent Form
West Ham have had an inconsistent start to their campaign. After three Premier League matches, they have only managed to collect four points out of a possible twelve, along with a narrow victory over Bournemouth in the EFL Cup.
Their most recent league outing ended in dramatic fashion, with substitute Danny Ings netting a 95th-minute equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw at Fulham, salvaging a point that manager Julen Lopetegui described as reflective of his team’s “commitment.”
On the other hand, Chelsea have shown signs of resurgence under new manager Enzo Maresca. With seven points from four Premier League games, they have yet to win at Stamford Bridge this season but have been impressive on the road, notching back-to-back victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers (6-2) and Bournemouth (1-0).
Christopher Nkunku’s late winner against Bournemouth showcased Chelsea’s ability to grind out results, and they will be confident heading into this London derby.
Head-to-Head and Historical Context
West Ham’s record against Chelsea at home is a mixed bag. Although they secured a memorable 3-1 victory at the London Stadium last season, their form this term has been less than ideal.
They’ve already suffered home defeats to Aston Villa (1-2) and Manchester City (1-3), making this a pivotal game to regain momentum on their home turf.
Historically, Chelsea have had the upper hand in this fixture. Of the 56 Premier League encounters, Chelsea have won 30 times, making West Ham one of their favored opponents, second only to Tottenham in terms of victories.
However, West Ham have managed seven points from their last three home games against the Blues (W2, D1), giving them reason to hope for another upset.
Key Players to Watch
For West Ham, Danny Ings’ heroics last weekend could earn him a start, especially given Michail Antonio’s struggles in front of goal.
Jarrod Bowen, likely to lead the attack, will be pivotal, with Mohammed Kudus potentially moving to the right flank and Crysencio Summerville poised to make his first start on the left. Lucas Paqueta’s playmaking ability from the number 10 position could also be key to unlocking Chelsea’s defense.
The FIVE goals against the Hammers, the last time we faced them. 🎯🙌 pic.twitter.com/6xQ9JoBWUF
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 20, 2024
Chelsea, meanwhile, will be boosted by the return of Enzo Fernandez and Malo Gusto, both of whom have trained after missing the Bournemouth game due to injury.
Fernandez’s partnership with Moises Caicedo in midfield is expected to dictate Chelsea’s tempo, while summer signing Jadon Sancho could make his first start for the Blues after a standout debut.
Nkunku’s ability to exploit spaces will be crucial to their attacking play.
Injury Updates
West Ham’s defensive stability might be tested with left-back Emerson Palmieri a doubt due to a thigh injury.
Aaron Cresswell or Aaron Wan-Bissaka could deputize in his place, while Niclas Fullkrug (Achilles) remains a major doubt. Lopetegui may also consider starting Danny Ings ahead of the misfiring Michail Antonio.
For Chelsea, Reece James is still sidelined with a hamstring injury, but they have received a quadruple injury boost ahead of this clash.
Fernandez, Gusto, Romeo Lavia, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have all trained and could feature. This means Chelsea will likely field a much stronger lineup than the one that scraped past Bournemouth.
Predicted Lineup
The predicted lineup for West Ham United features Areola in goal, with Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, and Emerson in defense. The midfield includes Alvarez and Rodriguez, while Kudus, Paqueta, and Summerville support Bowen in attack.
For Chelsea, Sanchez is set to start in goal, with Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, and Cucurella forming the defensive line. Fernandez and Caicedo will occupy the midfield, while Madueke, Palmer, and Sancho provide support to Nkunku up front.
Match Prediction
The clash between West Ham and Chelsea has often been a high-scoring affair, with six of their last nine meetings seeing at least three goals scored.
Given Chelsea’s strong away form and West Ham’s shaky home performances this season, the Blues should have enough firepower to outscore the Hammers in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
Predicted Score: West Ham United 1-3 Chelsea
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Did you know?
Both Premier League meetings last season saw the home team emerge victorious: West Ham triumphed 3-1 at the London Stadium, while Chelsea secured a dominant 5-0 win at Stamford Bridge.