West Ham vs Chelsea Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 English Premier League
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Two sides getting used to new managers face off in Saturday's opening Premier League fixture, as West Ham welcome Chelsea to the London Stadium.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 21st September, 2024: UK – 12:30pm / US ET – 7:30am / US PT – 4:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – USA Network
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – discovery+ / US – NBC.com
WEST HAM PREVIEW: LAST-GASP INGS
An added-time equaliser from substitute Danny Ings rescued a point for West Ham against Fulham at Craven Cottage last week - a result which leaves them in 14th position ahead of this weekend's fixtures.
The Hammers are still clearly finding their feet under Julen Lopetegui, although they have at least scored in every competitive game they have contested this season.
CHELSEA PREVIEW: SEARCHING FOR COHESION
A substitute was also the hero of the hour for Chelsea last weekend, Christopher Nkunku climbing off the bench to score a late winner against Bournemouth to lift Enzo Maresca's side into the top half of the Premier League table.
It was, however, another unconvincing display overall from a team who boast an embarrassment of riches, and it remains to be seen how Maresca can keep such a deep squad happy given that the likes of summer signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is still waiting for his first Premier League start for the club.
WEST HAM TEAM NEWS: EMERSON & FULLKRUG TO BE ASSESSED
Full-back Emerson sustained a knock against Fulham but Lopetegui has stated that it is not a serious issue and the Italian could make the starting XI again, while summer arrival Niclas Fullkrug is doubtful once more.
With Aaron Cresswell among the substitutes last week, there are no other injury concerns in the Hammers treatment room, and Lucas Paqueta is a strong candidate to start after he was eased back into action following international break exertions.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Rodriguez, Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus; Antonio
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Emerson (Injured), Fullkrug (Injured)
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
Team news to follow...
PREDICTED XI (X-X-X-X): TBC
UNAVAILABLE: TBC
QUESTIONABLE: TBC
WEST HAM VS CHELSEA PREDICTION
For all the talent they have in their ranks, Chelsea are undoubtedly lacking fluidity right now, and they are relying on individual moments to bail them out of games rather than demonstrating a clear playing philosophy. In defence of Maresca though, he is still relatively new to this team and it will take some time for his methods to bed in.
West Ham are likewise getting used to a new manager though, and given that both teams have looked vulnerable at the back, both teams to score looks like a reasonable assumption.
WEST HAM VS CHELSEA TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
