It’s only matchday two, but tension is already rising. West Ham United host Chelsea at the London Stadium on Friday night in a clash between two teams still searching for their first win of the new Premier League season.
Both sides stumbled in their openers, and now the spotlight is firmly on Graham Potter and Enzo Maresca. Form, history, and pressure collide in East London.
For the Hammers, it’s a chance to bounce back from humiliation. For Chelsea, it’s about proving preseason hype was not misplaced.
🟣⚒️ West Ham lost 3-0 away to Sunderland last weekend.
🔵 Chelsea were held to a 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace.
♻️ West Ham vs Chelsea Key Stats 📊:
📊 Last 3 head-to-heads: Chelsea wins all 3.
📊 Potter has never beaten Chelsea in 7 attempts as a manager.
📊 Chelsea last won back-to-back away at West Ham: 2013 (11 years ago).
📊 West Ham: 1 win in last 8 Premier League home matches.
🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥:
🟣West Ham:
The Hammers’ opener at Sunderland raised serious alarms. A 3-0 defeat has left Potter under fire, with his preseason optimism evaporating. Relegation odds have shortened, and fans are demanding an instant response.
Personnel changes are expected. Callum Wilson could be handed a full debut, while midfield reshuffles may see Soucek or Alvarez start in place of Guido Rodriguez and Ward-Prowse. Jarrod Bowen remains the main attacking outlet.
🔵Chelsea:
The Blues arrived with preseason buzz but were flat against Palace. A goalless draw, where they failed to threaten until the 89th minute, has already tempered expectations. Questions remain over their big-money summer signings.
Maresca’s side will be desperate to avoid back-to-back blanks at the start of a league season, something not seen since 1995-96. Nicolas Jackson is back from suspension, while Joao Pedro could lead the line again.
👥 Predicted Lineups 👥:
🟣West Ham (3-4-2-1):
Hermansen (GK); Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd; Wan-Bissaka, Alvarez, Soucek, Diouf; Bowen, Wilson, Paqueta.
🔵Chelsea (4-2-3-1):
Sanchez (GK); James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Neto, Palmer, Estevao; Joao Pedro.
🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀:
🔹 Jarrod Bowen – Creative spark, vital for West Ham’s attack.
🔹 Joao Pedro – Has a scoring record vs West Ham, key threat up front.
🔹 Callum Wilson – Could make full debut, tasked with goalscoring burden.
🔹 Enzo Fernández – Needs to dictate play to settle Chelsea nerves.
💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵:
💵 West Ham/Home to win = 5.10 ✅
💵 Chelsea/Away to win = 1.73 ✅
💵 Joao Pedro to score = 2.23 ✅
💵 Over 2.5 total goals = 1.73 ✅
This is not just another London derby. For West Ham, it’s about damage control and regaining fan belief. For Chelsea, it’s about proving Maresca’s system can work in the Premier League.
One side seeks redemption, the other validation. At the London Stadium, both must deliver.
So, who takes the points? Let us know in the comments below.
🔗 You can follow the Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen pre-season friendly here on MSport.
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