Such is the position that West Ham United find themselves in with only 15 games to go in the Premier League campaign, the next game always becomes the biggest one of the season.
Though things are on the up at West Ham United following a run of three consecutive victories across all competitions, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are still in the fight of their lives.
Indeed, the Hammers sit five points adrift of Premier League safety as things stand. There is, however, a chance they could cut that two points by the time 17th-placed Nottingham Forest play on Sunday.
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West Ham and Chelsea combined XI
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Still, that won’t be easy. Nuno takes his side to Chelsea on Saturday evening and while West Ham are in good form right now, it will be a major test of their recent progress.
Former Irons striker Ian Wright isn’t giving them much of a chance.
Ian Wright says there’s ‘no chance’ that West Ham beat Chelsea
Adama Traore could make his West Ham debut against Chelsea, while the game will officially mark the end of the Lucas Paqueta era at the club.
The mood music in the team is feeling positive. Crysencio Summerville is in brilliant form for West Ham, while Mateus Fernandes is excelling in central midfield.
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However, when discussing the weekend’s action on The Overlap, Wright was rather downbeat on West Ham’s chances.
The guests were asked for their predictions. Gary Neville went for 2-1 Chelsea, after Wright said: “There’s no way they’re beating Chelsea.”
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He is leaving Cole Palmer for dead…
Top image, Mateus Fernandes of West Ham United reacts during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sunderland at London Stadium on January 24, 2026 in London, England. Bottom image, Cole Palmer celebrates scoring Chelsea's second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Brentford at Stamford Bridge on January 17, 2026 in London, England.
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Nuno’s poor record against Chelsea
Nuno is starting to convince at West Ham following a dreadful start to his tenure in charge.
Clearly, there’s still an awful lot to prove. The odds remain stacked against West Ham to stay up, during what has largely been described as a poor season all across the Premier League.
The Hammers boss is not taking a strong record against Chelsea into Saturday’s clash with the Blues, either.
In ten games against them in his spells at Wolves, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, Nuno has only won twice – and never at Stamford Bridge.
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