West Ham United vs. Chelsea – Predictions, Predicted Lineups, Injury News

West Ham United and Chelsea are set to clash in what promises to be an intriguing Premier League encounter. Both teams have shown flashes of quality but have also had moments of inconsistency.

West Ham is looking to climb from the bottom half of the table, while Chelsea aims to maintain their spot in the top half. With both sides needing the points, this could be a closely contested match that offers plenty of excitement.

West Ham United Preview

West Ham United enters this match in 14th place, and although they’ve struggled at times, their form has been unpredictable.

They’ve managed to score five goals in their last five games, but their defense has been leaky, conceding six goals over the same period.

West Ham’s recent form, which includes a draw and two losses in their last four matches (LWLD), shows signs of inconsistency.

While their home form has been disappointing, losing both of their matches and conceding five goals, their away form offers a glimmer of hope.

They have won one and drawn another on the road, scoring three goals and only conceding one. Offensively, Jarrod Bowen has been key, with the most shots on target per match for West Ham, averaging 0.8.

However, they’ll need to improve their xG conceded (7.9), the fourth-highest in the league, if they want to tighten up at the back and avoid further defensive mishaps.

Their recent 1-1 draw against Fulham was a battle of endurance, with Danny Ings’ last-minute equalizer securing a point.

Despite creating few chances and an xG of just 0.53, West Ham showed determination to steal a point, and they’ll need to channel that resilience against Chelsea.

Chelsea Preview

Chelsea, on the other hand, finds themselves in 8th place, but their form has been much stronger, especially on the road. They’ve scored an impressive 8 goals in their last five matches, averaging two goals per game.

Offensively, Cole Palmer has been instrumental, creating four big chances, ranking second in the league in this metric.

Defensively, Chelsea has conceded five goals but has looked sharper away from home, where they’ve won both games, scoring seven and conceding just two.

Their form in recent matches (LWDW) shows a team beginning to build momentum, especially after a dramatic 1-0 win over Bournemouth, where Nkunku’s late goal sealed the victory.

That match saw Chelsea ride their luck a little, with Bournemouth having an xG of 1.63 compared to Chelsea’s 0.64. However, the Blues’ defense stood strong, with goalkeeper Robert Sánchez making key saves to keep the Cherries at bay.

Chelsea will look to extend their away winning streak as they face a West Ham side vulnerable at home.

West Ham vs Cheslea Injury News & Team Updates

West Ham United’s injury news:

Niclas Füllkrug (Calf injury) – Doubtful

Chelsea’s injury news:

Both teams face several key injuries, with Chelsea potentially missing some pivotal midfielders like Fernández and Dewsbury-Hall, while West Ham’s attacking options could be limited if Niclas Füllkrug remains sidelined.

West Ham vs. Chelsea Head to Head Record

The head-to-head record between these two teams reflects Chelsea’s superiority in recent years. West Ham United has won eight of the previous encounters, Chelsea has secured 14 victories, and there have been five draws.

The bookmakers expect this match to be tight, with Chelsea slightly favored to win with odds of 2.10, while West Ham sits at 3.20 to win, and a draw is priced at 3.80.

West Ham vs. Chelsea Predicted Lineups:

West Ham United (4-2-3-1):
Areola; Emerson, Kilman, Mavropanos, Wan-Bissaka; Alvarez, Rodriguez; Paquetá, Kudus, Antonio; Bowen.

Chelsea (4-3-3):
Sánchez; Disasi, Colwill, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández, Palmer; Madueke, Jackson, Neto

Who Will Win?

This match is shaping up to be a tight contest. West Ham’s poor home form, combined with Chelsea’s strong performances away from Stamford Bridge, suggests that the Blues might have the upper hand.

However, West Ham’s resilience in grabbing points from difficult situations should not be underestimated. Chelsea’s more clinical attack and West Ham’s defensive vulnerabilities could make the difference.

Score Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Chelsea