2025-26 Premier League: Week Two – West Ham vs Chelsea

West Ham meet Chelsea in a London derby as both teams chase a first Premier League victory of the season. 

Victory would lift West Ham above Chelsea and into eighth ahead of the weekend’s action, whilst Enzo Maresca’s Blues can go top with a win.

 

Team News

Luis Guilherme is ruled out for West Ham after he missed their 3-0 opening defeat at Sunderland, having picked up a shoulder injury.

George Earthy (ankle) is a doubt but Crysencio Summerville (hamstring) remains absent.

Chelsea won’t welcome Nicolas Jackson back from his two-match suspension due to rumours over his future at the club.

Tosin Adarabioyo (knock) is available but Benoit Badiashile (unspecified), Levi Colwill (ACL), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) and Omari Kellyman (hamstring) are still sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

West Ham host Chelsea at London Stadium on Friday 22 August at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• West Ham have picked up four points in their last five meetings against Chelsea (W1, D1, L3).
• Chelsea have won two of their last five visits to West Ham (W2, D1, L2).
• West Ham are looking to avoid suffering four consecutive defeats against Chelsea for the first time since a six-match streak between January 2006 – March 2008.
• Defeat would mark the second time in four seasons that West Ham have lost their first two matches of a new season, having last done so in 2022.
• Chelsea have won just one four away London derbies in 2025 (W1, D2, L1).

 

Prediction

After a pretty lacklustre display at Sunderland where their lack of defensive clearing of crosses proved costly, West Ham really need to regroup and start to show more attacking composure if want to convert chances – which will be crucial to getting a result here.

Chelsea meanwhile were lucky to even get a goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace thanks to VAR intervention because their final touches inside the box were just rushed with no accuracy, so I would like to see them bring more patience to their end product across in East London.

Both teams therefore have serious improvements to make but if Chelsea can build on the defensive positives and tidy up their final touches, I can see them cruising to victory.

Result: West Ham 1-5 Chelsea