A London derby kicks off Gameweek 5 of the 2024/25 Premier League season when Chelsea make the short journey across the capital to take on West Ham United on Saturday lunchtime.
Both clubs ushered in new managers over the summer and are separated by three points heading into the battle at 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 90min’s preview of the gameweek opener on Saturday.
West Ham vs Chelsea H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (all competitions)
How to watch West Ham vs Chelsea on TV and live stream
West Ham team news
Lopetegui has doubts over Emerson Palmieri and 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 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 (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Disasi, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
West Ham have made a somewhat average start to life under their new manager, 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 the points at London Stadium, with the likes of Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke likely to be figureheads in their attacking forays.
