West Ham vs Chelsea – 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 3–0 by newly promoted Sunderland on opening weekend, casting immediate pressure on manager Graham Potter, though vice-chair Karren Brady has urged patience.
Chelsea’s start, meanwhile, was a tame 0–0 home draw with Crystal Palace, raising questions over their attacking momentum despite recent silverware—a 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, Benoît 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 Todibo–Kilman–Aguerd, and Bowen–Wilson–Paquetá leading the front.
- Chelsea may line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Robert Sánchez; a back four featuring James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; double pivot of Caicedo and Fernández; Palmer in the No. 10 role; and João Pedro spearheading the attack.
Stats & Predictions
- Opta data ranks Chelsea as clear favourites, with a 54.6% win probability versus West Ham’s 22.0%.
- Historically, Chelsea have dominated recent meetings, winning three straight by a combined 10–
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