The Premier League season’s second week presents a high-stakes London derby as West Ham United hosts Chelsea at the London Stadium. Both teams will be desperate to put their opening weekend disappointment behind them and kickstart their campaigns.
Match Details
- Fixture: West Ham United vs Chelsea
- Competition: Premier League
- Venue: London Stadium
- Date: Friday, August 22, 2025
- Kick-off: 8:00 PM WAT
This clash is more than just a local rivalry; it’s a litmus test for both sides. West Ham are coming off a shocking 3-0 defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland, a result that has already raised alarm bells among their fanbase. The pressure is on manager Graham Potter, who has struggled for consistency since taking over in January. His side finished 14th last season and winning just five of his 20 league games in charge has left many questioning his future. A home loss to their rivals would only intensify the scrutiny.
Chelsea, meanwhile, also had a less-than-ideal start, managing only a goalless draw at home against Crystal Palace. While the result wasn’t as bad as West Ham’s, it was a frustrating affair for Enzo Maresca’s men, who dominated possession but lacked the cutting edge to break down a resilient Palace defense. Fresh off winning the Club World Cup, expectations are high for the Blues this season, and a strong response is needed to show they can mount a serious challenge for a top-four spot.
Head-to-Head (H2H)
Chelsea holds a clear advantage in the record, with 57 wins to West Ham’s 44 and 23 draws. In the Premier League era, the Blues have won 32 of the 58 meetings, compared to the Hammers’ 15.
- All Competitions:
- West Ham wins: 44
- Draws: 23
- Chelsea wins: 57
- Recent form (last 5 Premier League meetings):
- Feb 03, 2025: Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
- Sep 21, 2024: West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
- May 05, 2024: Chelsea 5-0 West Ham
- Aug 20, 2023: West Ham 3-1 Chelsea
- Feb 11, 2023: West Ham 1-1 Chelsea
Chelsea completed the double over West Ham last season, winning 3-0 at the London Stadium and 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Their current winning streak against the Hammers is three matches.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
West Ham United
West Ham’s dismal performance against Sunderland will likely prompt changes from Graham Potter. New signing Callum Wilson could be handed a full debut, while Guido Rodriguez and James Ward-Prowse’s midfield partnership from the last match is not expected to continue.
- Team News: Crysencio Summerville remains sidelined. There is still no replacement for Mohammed Kudus, leaving the attacking burden on Jarrod Bowen.
- Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Hermansen; Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd; Wan-Bissaka, Alvarez, Soucek, Diouf; Bowen, Wilson, Paqueta.
Chelsea
The Blues will be looking to their new attacking signings to provide the spark they lacked in their opener. Nicolas Jackson is back from a suspension that carried over from last season, while Joao Pedro is expected to lead the line.
- Team News: Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwill are out with injuries, while Tosin Adarabioyo is a doubt after a minor setback. Wesley Fofana is not yet fully fit. Mykhailo Mudryk and Romeo Lavia are also out.
- Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Estevao; Joao Pedro.
Manager Quotes
Graham Potter (West Ham United):
“It was a difficult result for us and for the fans. We know we have to be better, and the players are ready to produce a strong response. We have worked hard behind the scenes to address the issues from the last game, and we are expecting a reaction from the team against Chelsea.”
Enzo Maresca (Chelsea):
“He [Estevao Willian] is doing well since he arrived with us, even in the training sessions. He can be an option for tomorrow from the start, for sure after his Palace performance, but we will also look at today’s training session, and then we will decide. We need to rotate players because they cannot play 60 games. So the moment that they drop a bit, we have players behind them that need to be ready to play games.”
Statistical Insights & Form Guide
- West Ham United Form: L (0-3 vs Sunderland)
- Chelsea FC Form: D (0-0 vs Crystal Palace)
- West Ham’s struggles: Since Graham Potter took charge, West Ham ranks near the bottom of the Premier League for expected goals, shots, shots on target, and chances created from open play. They won only one of their final eight home games last season.
- Chelsea’s dominance: The Blues had almost 75% possession and outshot Crystal Palace 19-11 in their opener. They scored two or more goals in nine consecutive matches across all competitions before the draw.
Prediction and Likely Outcome
While both teams are coming into this match with something to prove, Chelsea’s squad depth and superior head-to-head record against West Ham give them a significant edge. West Ham’s opening day performance was particularly worrying, and the tactical issues under Potter seem to persist. Chelsea’s attacking talent, even with some key players missing, should be enough to exploit any defensive frailties. The return of Nicolas Jackson and the potential inclusion of Estevao Willian add more firepower.
However, the London Stadium under the lights can be a difficult place to visit, and West Ham will be desperate to put on a show for their home fans. They will likely be more resilient than they were at Sunderland, and could catch Chelsea on the counter.
The most probable outcome is a Chelsea victory, but not necessarily a blowout. West Ham will look to be compact and hit Chelsea on the break, which could make for a cagey affair.
Predicted Score: West Ham United 1 – 2 Chelsea
