Verdict: Chelsea win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Luckster
With all eyes falling on the London Stadium on Friday night, Chelsea will travel across the capital when they meet historic rivals West Ham.
West Ham
Starting with the hosts, getting proceedings underway with a woeful performance away at Premier League returners Sunderland last weekend, West Ham have rightfully come under a huge amount of scrutiny. Eventually falling to a 3-0 drumming at the Stadium of Light, the pressure on Graham Potter’s shoulders is once again reaching a boiling point. Spending the whole of last season scrapping it out at the foot of the table, the Hammers could find themselves at the heart of another bottom-three battle this time around. Collecting consecutive Premier League victories on just a single occasion last year, the ex-Chelsea boss will be bracing himself for another stern examination when he meets his former employers on Friday night.
West Ham Team News
Still dealing with a long-term hamstring injury and not making a single appearance since back in January, former Leeds star Crysencio Summerville remains on the sidelines. Likewise, suffering a reported broken collarbone in training last week, Luis Guilherme will not play any part on Friday night.
Despite enduring a nightmare debut at the Stadium of Light last week, new recruit Mads Hermansen will keep his spot between the sticks. Notching 13 Premier League goals last season, England international Jarrod Bowen will play a leading role in the final third.
Chelsea
As for the visitors, despite storming their way to a maiden Club World Cup crown on July 13th as they secured a famous 3-0 romp against French heavyweights PSG, Chelsea failed to get their domestic adventure underway with an opening weekend statement. Eventually forced to settle for a fortunate 0-0 stalemate at home against Crystal Palace last weekend, Enzo Maresca’s side will be seeking an immediate response here. Smelling a real opportunity when they travel across the capital on Friday night, Chelsea will be excited by a dominant record against the Hammers. Including a 2-1 victory when they last met West Ham on February 3rd, they have won their previous three meetings by an aggregate score of 10-1.
Chelsea Team News
Undergoing knee surgery earlier in the month, Chelsea have already confirmed that England international Levi Colwill faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines. Likewise, picking up another muscle issue over in the United States this summer, Romeo Lavia is not expected to feature in east London.
Making his competitive Chelsea debut off the bench last weekend, summer recruit Liam Delap could be handed a chance to lead the line on Friday night. Despite continued speculation over his position at Stamford Bridge, Spanish shot-stopper Robert Sanchez will start between the sticks.
West Ham vs Chelsea Key Factors to Consider
- When West Ham and Chelsea last met on February 3rd, the Blues collected a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.
- Chelsea have won all of their previous three consecutive meetings against the Hammers by an aggregate score of 10-1.
- Including their 3-0 drumming away at Sunderland last weekend, West Ham have notched just a single Premier League clean sheet since the end of February.
- Potter’s side mustered just a single win from any of their final eight home fixtures last season.
- Five of the last six meetings between West Ham and Chelsea have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Left frustrated last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate at home against Crystal Palace, Chelsea will be seeking an immediate response here. Crowned Club World Cup champions earlier in the summer, Maresca’s men should be smelling a golden opportunity when they travel across London on Friday night. Landing a 2-1 victory when they welcomed West Ham to Stamford Bridge for their most recent meeting on February 3rd, they have also won all of their previous three meetings against the Hammers by an aggregate score of 10-1. Two sides who are expected to be scrapping it out at opposite ends of the Premier League standings this season, we are backing an away win here.
Verdict: Chelsea win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Luckster
