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Premier League action will be kicked off this weekend with a London derby as West Ham United host Chelsea in Saturday's lunchtime kickoff. The home side are fresh off securing a last-gasp draw against another London rival Fulham last weekend.
They went behind to Raul Jimenez's 24th-minute strike and trailed until the fifth minute of injury time when last substitute Danny Ings drew the game level.
Chelsea, meanwhile, also had a late second half substitute to thank for sparing their blushes. Christopher Nkunku stepped off the bench to score the match-winner and help the Blues claim a 1-0 away win over Bournemouth.
The goal was the 26-year-old's third goal of the campaign, with all his strikes breaking the deadlock as he continues his redemption arc after an injury-riddled debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.
The victory saw Chelsea climb to eighth spot in the table, having garnered seven points from four games. West Ham are 14th on four points.
West Ham vs Chelsea Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two sides have clashed on 122 occasions in the past. Chelsea were victorious 55 times, West Ham have 44 wins to their name while 23 games ended in a share of the spoils.
- Their most recent clash came in May 2024 when Chelsea claimed a 5-0 victory in their penultimate home game of last season.
- West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has won two and drawn one of five games he has managed against Chelsea.
- Twelve of Chelsea's last 18 away league games have averaged over four goals per game.
- West Ham have lost just one of the last seven head-to-head games they have hosted (four wins, two draws).
- Four of the last six head-to-head games have produced three goals or more.
West Ham vs Chelsea Prediction
Julen Lopetegui has made a poor start to life as West Ham manager as he has overseen just one win from the first four league games since replacing David Moyes in the dugout. The 58-year-old spent about £155m in the summer window and the former Wolves manager must be feeling the heat.
Chelsea are also under new management, with Enzo Maresca having made a lukewarm start to life in the Stamford Bridge dugout. The win against Bournemouth helped ease some of the pressure and he will be hoping his side can capitalize on this. That win was Chelsea's fourth consecutive away Premier League win.
This could be an exciting game, as the Blues have kept just one clean sheet in their last 18 away league games (which came against Bournemouth). We are backing the Blues to claim a narrow win with goals at both ends.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Chelsea
West Ham vs Chelsea Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Chelsea to win
Tip 2 - Both teams to score
Tip 3 - Over 2.5 goals
