Chelsea are currently preparing for their first away day of the Premier League season, and it’s a short trip across London to play against West Ham.
The Blues kickstarted the 2025/26 campaign last weekend with a 0-0 draw at home to Crystal Palace. As for upcoming opponents West Ham, they suffered a crushing 3-0 away defeat against newly-promoted Sunderland.
Chelsea will be looking to chalk up their first three points of the season on Friday night at the London Stadium.
Last season, Chelsea won 3-0 away at West Ham, so a repeat of that would be the perfect way to get this campaign properly up and running.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca looks on during the Premier League match against Crystal Palace.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
How Chelsea could line-up against West Ham
Even though it’s still so early in the season, it feels like an important London derby for both clubs on Friday.
The Chelsea Chronicle have predicted the side that Blues head coach Enzo Maresca could pick to play against West Ham.
Goalkeeper – Robert Sanchez
Of course, Robert Sanchez has retained his role as the first-choice goalkeeper this season. He will be looking to build on last week’s clean sheet, where he didn’t have much to do against Palace.
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
Defence – Reece James, Josh Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella
Chelsea captain Reece James, who was impressive in the first game of the season against Palace, starts again at right-back in the predicted line-up.
Yet again, Trevoh Chalobah and Josh Acheampong may start as the centre-back partnership. Chelsea supporters raved about Acheampong’s display against Palace, so we expect the decision will be made to give the youngster another start.
Wesley Fofana was an unused substitute on the opening day, so we would be surprised to see him thrown into the XI against West Ham. Meanwhile, The Evening Standard reports that Blues centre-half Tosin Adarabioyo is a doubt for Friday night.
To complete the back four, Marc Cucurella continues at left-back, but summer signing Jorrel Hato is patiently waiting in the wings to make his competitive Blues debut.
Josh Acheampong playing for Chelsea against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Midfield – Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer
It’s a very familiar midfield combination we’re predicting for the trip to the Hammers.
Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez could start as the central midfield partnership, while Cole Palmer sits just in front of them as a creative No.10 playmaker.
Palmer is on a worrying streak, scoring one goal from open play in the Premier League since January. Therefore, it feels like a perfect opportunity for him against a vulnerable West Ham side to lay down a marker.
Attack – Estevao Willian, Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto
The one and only change from the Palace draw sees Estevao Willian replace Jamie Gittens in the starting XI. Even though Gittens cost £55m (Daily Mail) from Borussia Dortmund this summer, he may need a bit of time to get up to full speed.
With Estevao coming into the team on the right wing, Pedro Neto could shift over to the left wing.
Finally, Joao Pedro leads the line again as the centre-forward, but he knows that he’s got teammate Liam Delap breathing down his neck to start.
Chelsea predicted XI to face West Ham in the Premier League.