Prediction: West Ham vs Chelsea

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

With all eyes falling on the London Stadium this weekend, Chelsea will make the trip across the capital when they meet West Ham on Sunday afternoon.

West Ham

Starting with the hosts, while West Ham might have made major history last season as they were crowned Europa Conference League champions in Prague, the Hammers certainly came under a huge amount of Premier League scrutiny. Firmly at the heart of a relegation scrap on either side of the winter World Cup break, David Moyes’ men are desperate to find some domestic stability this time around. Opening the 2023/24 campaign with a 1-1 draw away at Bournemouth last weekend, the one-time Manchester United boss will be excited to make a return to the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Although the Hammers might have gained a reputation for their struggles on the road last season, it should be noted that West Ham won each of their last three showdowns in east London across all competitions by an aggregate score of 6-2.

Team News

Opening his account away at Bournemouth last weekend, England international Jarrod Bowen will have a key role to play here. Appearing to have cemented his spot as Moyes’ number-one domestic keeper this season, Alphonse Areola should once again start between the sticks on Sunday afternoon.

Both arriving at the London Stadium last weekend, the midfield duo of Edson Alvarez and former Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse should make their full debuts here.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, missing out on European football entirely last season and eventually having to settle for an infamous bottom-half finish, Chelsea are firmly getting a new era underway this time around. Appointing former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino this summer, the Blues are at the heart of what has been a major transition both on and off the pitch. However, although the Blues might have been disappointed after opening the 2023/24 campaign with a 1-1 stalemate at home against Liverpool, Pochettino should take plenty of positives away from an eye-catching performance in SW6. Although Chelsea might have gained a reputation for their struggles on the road last season, Sunday’s guests will be excited by a rugged record against their London rivals. In fact, the Blues have lost just one of their previous six meetings against West Ham across all competitions – a run that stems back to July 2020.

Team News

In what was a major blow for Chelsea, the Blues confirmed last week that summer arrival and France international Christopher Nkunku has undergone knee surgery and will not feature until the New Year.

Likewise, still dealing with a stacked injury list, Pochettino will be unable to call upon the likes of Trevor Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Armando Broja and Benoit Badiashile this weekend. Making his full Chelsea debut against Liverpool last week, ex-Brighton shot-stopper Robert Sanchez will start between the sticks.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on February 11th, West Ham and Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.
• However, the Blues have lost just one of their last six meetings against Sunday’s hosts – a run that stems back to July 2020.
• Three of the last four meetings between West Ham and Chelsea have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Likewise, three of their last four showdowns at the London Stadium have finished with an identical outcome.
• The Hammers won each of their final three matchups on home soil by an aggregate score of 6-2.

Conclusion

Two sides who opened up the 2023/24 campaign with respective 1-1 draws, neutrals could be treated to an enjoyable London derby on Sunday afternoon. While the Hammers might be excited by the prospect of making a return to east London this weekend, Chelsea certainly showed some real signs of improvement during their stalemate against Liverpool seven days ago. It should be noted, with three of the last four meetings between the London rivals finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Luckster