West Ham vs Chelsea โ Gameweek 2 Preview
London Stadium hosts an early-season derby on Friday, 22 August 2025, at 8 p.m. BST, as West Ham United welcome Chelsea in a crucial Gameweek 2 clash.
Recent Form & Stakes
Both sides enter desperate for their first league three points. West Ham were thumped 3โ0 by newly promoted Sunderland on opening weekend, casting immediate pressure on manager Graham Potter, though vice-chair Karren Brady has urged patience.
Chelseaโs start, meanwhile, was a tame 0โ0 home draw with Crystal Palace, raising questions over their attacking momentum despite recent silverwareโa Conference League and Club World Cup double under Enzo Maresca.
Team News & Key Selection Updates
- West Ham are without forwards Crysencio Summerville and Luis Guilherme due to injury.
- Chelsea are missing several players: sidelined for this match are Levi Colwill, Benoรฎt Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, and Omari Kellyman. Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku are also excluded amid transfer uncertainty.
Tactical Preview & Probable Lineups
- West Ham are likely to adopt a 3-4-3 formation with Hermansen in goal, a back three of TodiboโKilmanโAguerd, and BowenโWilsonโPaquetรก leading the front.
- Chelsea may line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Robert Sรกnchez; a back four featuring James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; double pivot of Caicedo and Fernรกndez; Palmer in the No. 10 role; and Joรฃo Pedro spearheading the attack.
Stats & Predictions
- Opta data ranks Chelsea as clear favourites, with a 54.6% win probability versus West Hamโs 22.0%.
- Historically, Chelsea have dominated recent meetings, winning three straight by a combined 10โ
Leave a Reply