West Ham vs Chelsea Match Preview: Team news, possible lineups, predictions & H2H
West Ham vs Chelsea Match Preview: Team news, possible lineups, predictions & H2H. The Gameweek 5 of the 2024/25 Premier League season kicks off with a London derby when Chelsea make a short trip across the capital to take on West Ham United on Saturday lunchtime.
Recall that both clubs entered the new season with new managers over the summer, and are separated by three points heading into the battle at the London Stadium.
Julen Lopetegui‘s Hammers have had some tough games to start the term, but salvaged a late draw at Fulham last time out, while the Blues registered their second league win under Enzo Maresca with a slender 1-0 success at Bournemouth.
Here’s a preview of the gameweek opener on Saturday.
What time does West Ham vs Chelsea Prague kick-off?
Location: London, England
Stadium: London Stadium
Date: Saturday 21 September
Kick-off Time: 12:30 BST / 07:30 ET / 04:30 PT
Referee: Samuel Barrott
VAR: Stuart Attwell
West Ham vs Chelsea H2H Record (Last Five Games)
West Ham: 1 win
Chelsea: 3 wins
Draws: 1
Last meeting: Chelsea 5-0 West Ham (Premier League) – 5 May 2024
West Ham team news
Lopetegui has doubts over fullback Emerson Palmieri and striker Niclas Fullkrug. Emerson could yet feature with his knock described by the Spanish manager as “not an important one”, but Fullkrug is likely to be kept waiting for his full Premier League debut due to fitness concerns.
Danny Ings popped off the bench to grab the vital equaliser last time out but that’s unlikely to earn the former Southampton striker a start, with Jarrod Bowen perhaps featuring as the focal point of West Ham’s attack instead of Michail Antonio.
West Ham predicted lineup vs Chelsea
West Ham predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Rodriguez, Alvarez; Kudus, Paqueta, Summerville; Bowen.
Chelsea team news
Right-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto remain sidelined by injury, meaning Axel Disasi or Wesley Fofana is expected to continue in that role. Romeo Lavia may not be fit enough to play having struggled with a hamstring issue, but he is closing in on a return to matchday availability.
Jadon Sancho was instrumental in Chelsea nicking a late winner at Bournemouth, setting up Christopher Nkunku’s strike after replacing Pedro Neto at half-time. The England winger could displace the Portuguese flier in the starting XI as a result.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs West Ham
Chelsea predicted lineup vs West Ham (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Disasi, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
West Ham vs Chelsea score prediction
West Ham have made a somewhat average start to life under their new manager Lopetegui, though they had won two games in a row in all competitions before losing to Manchester City and drawing at Fulham. That said, they’re still huffing and puffing in attack and may need to prey on Chelsea’s inexperience to hit the back of the net on Saturday.
The Blues have displayed a ruthless clinical streak already this season in a 6-2 crushing of Wolves, though their three games so far have seen them score only three goals.
However, they approach the weekend as the favourites to bag all points at London Stadium, with the likes of Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke likely to headline their attacking forays.
Prediction: West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
