West Ham United and Chelsea are both looking for their first win of the season.
The two London rivals face each other on Friday night, and Graham Potter would love nothing more than to get a win over his old club.
Chelsea will go into the game as the favourites, especially as the Hammers looked terrible against Sunderland in their Premier League opener.
Football, however, is a funny game, and anything can happen.
Paul Merson predicts West Ham vs Chelsea result
Potter’s record at West Ham is terrible.
The Englishman has won just five games since taking charge of the club and has a really underwhelming 25 per cent win rate.
Micah Richards predicted that Potter will get sacked if that number doesn’t go up, and we think he is absolutely right.
Chelsea will want to get a win on Friday night after drawing their first game.
Paul Merson doesn’t think that it will be a straightforward victory for the Blues, but he has still backed them to pick up all three points.
He wrote on Sportskeeda: “You know what? This is a huge, huge game now for both teams. I thought both of them looked very poor last weekend. If Chelsea lose or draw to West Ham, that would be a massive blow.
Chelsea FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
“I actually think this will be a hard game for Chelsea, unlike what most people think! West Ham will not come out and have a go at the visitors; they will sit behind the ball and be patient.
“If Chelsea had won against Crystal Palace in their opening game, I would have tipped them to secure a comfortable win here. But they lacked any sort of cohesion in that game.
“West Ham were battered by Sunderland last Saturday. I believe they were the most disappointing team to watch in gameweek 1, and let themselves down with that performance. West Ham have no legs in midfield and look like they’re in danger already!
“West Ham will not want to open this game up. If that happens, there will only be one winner, and that’s Chelsea! So I reckon they will sit back and try to keep Palmer quiet.
“This is a must-win game for Chelsea, especially since they are a club with huge ambition every year. I’m going to back the Blues to secure a narrow win.”
Merson’s prediction: West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
READ MORE: Paul Merson tells Enzo Maresca to drop £60m Chelsea player vs West Ham
Graham Potter shares what West Ham need to beat Chelsea
Potter’s spell at Chelsea wasn’t a great one.
The 50-year-old replaced Thomas Tuchel in 2022, but after just seven months at Stamford Bridge, he was shown the door.
Now, ahead of facing the Blues, Potter praised Enzo Maresca and Chelsea, and also explained what West Ham will need to win the game.
He said, as per the Irons’ official website: “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.”