The London Derby Preview as Chelsea seek momentum against struggling West Ham.
Date: August 22, 2025
Kickoff: 20:00 BST | London Stadium
Broadcast: Sky Sports (UK), Fubo Sports (US), Stan Sport (AUS)
Form Guide & Stakes
Chelsea come into Matchweek 2 following an uninspiring 0-0 draw away to Crystal Palace. Chelsea had 71% possession. The new signings João Pedro and Liam Delap were unable to break through a stubborn Palace defence. But late in the game, 17-year-old substitute Estevao Willian showed some enthusiasm. Chelsea are looking to get back into a Champions League position after finishing in 4th place last season. However, fatigue from last season’s Club World Cup will remain.
West Ham, alternatively, started their campaign with a miserable 3-0 defeat to Sunderland – their fifth consecutive league loss at home. Graham Potter’s side sits 19th, with 10 goals conceded in their last six games. Their fans fearful of relegation, pressure is mounting on Potter to make improvements immediately.
Tactical Battlegrounds
Chelsea’s Set-Piece Edge: Chelsea’s 3-0 thrashing of West Ham last season highlighted their dead-ball mastery, with rehearsed routines overwhelming the Hammers’ defence. Arsenal’s set-piece goal against United in Week 1—a recurring Chelsea strength—could exploit West Ham’s aerial frailties anew.
West Ham’s Defensive Crisis: Without the sold Mohamed Kudus (15 goals/assists in 2024/25), creativity falters. Left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf (£22m signing) must contain Chelsea’s right-wing threats, but Crysencio Summerville’s thigh injury deprives Potter of critical pace.
Midfield Control: Enzo Maresca’s midfield trio (likely Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, and Cole Palmer) will target West Ham’s high-press vulnerabilities. The Hammers forced 33 high turnovers in Potter’s first three games but lack cohesion to sustain it.
London Derby Tradition:
This will be the fifth time Chelsea has kicked off a Premier League season with a London derby (a match against another London team). They’ve won all four of the previous ones. They faced West Ham in 2000, Charlton in 2002, West Ham again in 2016, and… pic.twitter.com/btOHv3bvBl
— KILOWI BLOG ⚽🏀🥊 (@larry_graphics_) August 17, 2025
Key Players
Chelsea: Cole Palmer (creative hub), Nicolas Jackson (returns from suspension), Estevao Willian (super-sub impact).
West Ham: Jarrod Bowen (scored in February’s H2H; captain’s grit essential), Diouf (crossing threat), Lucas Paquetá (exonerated from betting charges; playmaking key).
Potter may deploy Andy Irving in midfield for defensive solidity.
Historical Context & Prediction
Chelsea have a strong H2H record as they are unbeaten in 12 away league matches against West Ham (10 wins) since 2010. Chelsea’s depth of squad – João Pedro and Delap would want to put poor debuts to bed – is in contrast to West Ham’s lighter squad. Bowen is likely to threaten early, but the quality of Chelsea should shine through.
Prediction on Derby Preview: West Ham 0-2 Chelsea (Jackson, Palmer).
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