**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](Preview: West Ham United vs Chelsea - prediction, team news, lineups - Sports Mole): West Ham 1-1 Chelsea