Football
West Ham Vs Chelsea Team News And Predicted Lineups As Rivals Go Toe-To-Toe At The London Stadium
Ben Horlock is a sports news and features writer who holds a degree in sports journalism (BA Hons) from Southampton Solent University. Ben has been published across a wide variety of news outlets and websites including HITC, 90min, GiveMeSport, Betfair and Zoo Magazine. As well, Ben has worked in social media for four years in the sports gambling industry. For his sins, Ben is a QPR fan and is a keen follower of all the major European football leagues.
Get to know Ben Horlock betterPublished19 Sep 2024
Saturday’s early kick-off comes from the London Stadium as old foes West Ham United and Chelsea get set to lock horns.
The Hammers have only suffered one defeat in the last five Premier League meetings with the Blues on home soil. Nayef Aguerd, Michail Antonio and Lucas Paqueta scored in a 3-1 win last August.
However, the west Londoners did record their biggest ever win over the Irons in May. Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson (2) all netted in an emphatic 5-0 thrashing.
This season, Julen Lopetegui’s side have had an indifferent start to the 2024/25 season. A last-gasp equaliser against Fulham and a victory against Crystal Palace means they are at least unbeaten against London sides this year.
Nonetheless, Lopetegui’s costly new additions have failed to get pulses raised amongst supporters in east London. Saturday’s encounter would be the perfect platform to finally start clicking.
Enzo Maresca’s side have endured a slightly better start to the campaign. Since the opening day defeat to Manchester City, they have won two and drawn the other.
Another summer of high spending at Stamford Bridge is slowly and surely starting to pay dividends. A much needed win at the home of their rivals will certainly keep up the momentum for the Blues.
Scroll down for the West Ham vs Chelsea predicted lineups and latest team news ahead of Saturday’s clash – which the best football betting sites in the UK make the Blues 11/10 favourites.
Across London, this Saturday. 🚇⏭️ pic.twitter.com/302cZh0Emp
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 18, 2024
West Ham Team News
West Ham‘s Emerson Palmieri is rated at 50/50 after he limped off against Fulham last time out. The left-back will be assessed before a decision can be made about the possibility of featuring against his former employers.
Forward Niclas Fullkrug is in the same position. The summer signing from Borussia Dortmund missed out at Craven Cottage altogether but will be pushing hard to start.
If he doesn’t, Danny Ings is expected to get the nod over Michail Antonio after netting the last minute equaliser against the Cottagers.
Chelsea Team News
Chelsea‘s options have been boosted as the quartet of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Enzo Fernandez, Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia all returned to training this week.
However, it’s the inclusion of Jadon Sancho from the off that most Blues fans will be expecting. The Manchester United loanee impressed off the bench against Bournemouth on GW4.
Enzo Maresca doesn’t have any fresh injury doubts but captain Reece James continues to recover from his most recent setback.
West Ham Vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups
West Ham XI (4-2-3-1): Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Mavropanos, Emerson; Alvaraz, Rodriguez; Bowen, Soucek, Kudus; Ings
Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson