Date: Friday 22nd
August 2025
Venue: London Stadium
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
After
a frustrating start to the 2025/26 campaign with the stalemate at Stamford
Bridge against Palace at the weekend, tonight, we face West Ham at the London
Stadium.
There
has been much said about West Ham’s 3-0 defeat to Sunderland in the opening
game, which is fair enough, but realistically, that can happen when the Premier
League newcomers arrive with no real pressure and the crowd behind them.
Similarly,
as frustrating as our 0-0 at home to Palace was, it wasn’t worth throwing toys
out over. The lack of shots on goal and the leaky defence needs an eye on
though, and not least because it was a game that had a bit of déjà vu about it.
It all felt a bit 24/25.
Bowen
and Antonio will look to exploit any sign of frailty at the back and given they
conceded 3 last week, we should be looking to get over all the sideways and
backwards nonsense and give the attacking talent we’ve got the freedom to play.
West
Ham will be keen to use their home advantage tonight, but Potter will just be
happy if the ‘boys give everything’. I’d hope Maresca demands a bit more from our
players.
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into
today’s game, West Ham manager Graham Potter, says “It’s the Premier League,
and I don’t think we can turn up anywhere and expect to just pick up three
points. We know we need to improve. The players were gutted after Saturday, so
it’s up to us to react and perform. Of course the fans will want a better
performance and result. It’s disrespectful to Sunderland for anyone to suggest
we should just turn up and win last week. We didn’t play to our standards, and
now we need to make sure we put in a good performance.
It will
take a huge effort against Chelsea, a good performance and a bit of luck. We’re
playing against a talented team, so we have to have a good balance between
attack and defence and give everything. Chelsea have a very talented manager
and squad, off the back of a very successful summer period. We expect a big
challenge.”
Enzo
Maresca, meanwhile, says, “All the Premier League games, they are tough,
they are difficult. If you remember the game at home last year was a difficult
game for us. They defended very well. Tomorrow I expect exactly the same. And
again, the Premier League just started, so you can see that they are trying to
find some solution in the same way we are doing. For sure with more time we are
going to be better and better. But it is what it is, we need to adapt. I think
we showed last week against Palace where until the end we compete, until the
end we create chances. And as I said we are going to be better and better day
after day.”
SQUAD NEWS
For West Ham, Crysencio Summerville
is nearing fitness but unlikely to feature and Edson Álvarez is nearing a move
to Fenerbahce, so wouldn’t be expected to play a part. Potter is otherwise expected to have a near
full-strength side, buoyed by new signings and the stability of their core
players.
For Chelsea, Levi Colwill (ACL) will be
out long-term. Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia and Omari Kellyman are all
injured. Tosin Adarabioyo is a doubt and although back from suspension, Nicolas
Jackson is not expected to feature given the uncertainty around him right now.
TEAMS
WEST
HAM (Possible line-up): Areola; Coufal, Zouma,
Aguerd, Emerson; Soucek, Ward-Prowse; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus; Antonio
CHELSEA
(Possible line-up): Sanchez; James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo,
Enzo; Neto, Palmer, Estevao; Joao Pedro
LAST SEASON
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
(21st September 2024)
CURRENT FORM
WEST HAM: L
CHELSEA: D
OTHER STUFF
- Chelsea
won at the London Stadium last season
- It
is 11 years since Chelsea won back-to-back away games to West Ham
- Chelsea
have only won three of their last 11 games away to West Ham
- Chelsea
have not started a season with consecutive goalless draws since 1995/96
- West
Ham have taken just nine points from as many home games under Graham Potter.
- West
Ham started their campaign with a 3-0 defeat at Sunderland
PREDICTION
Sportsmole: West Ham 1-1 Chelsea
