Chelsea Aim to Build Momentum Against Resurgent West Ham

Blues chase top-four push as Hammers fight for survival

After an impressive midweek European victory, Chelsea will look to carry that momentum into the Premier League as they host an improving West Ham United, who remain locked in a battle for survival.

Team news and form

Chelsea’s promising start under Liam Rosenior (five wins, one defeat) continued on Wednesday with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Napoli, securing a place in the Champions League last 16. The Blues now sit just one point off the Premier League top four and are determined to return to Europe’s elite next season.

Rosenior has also overseen back-to-back league wins against fellow London sides Brentford (2-0) and Crystal Palace (3-1), both by two-goal margins. Chelsea have not recorded three consecutive Premier League victories by at least two goals since November 2020.

However, Stamford Bridge has not been a fortress this season. Less than half of Chelsea’s league points have come at home (18 of 37), underlining their vulnerability despite strong recent form.

West Ham travel west on the back of two consecutive league victories, matching the total they managed across their previous 18 matches (W5, D5, L8). Last weekend’s 3-1 win over Sunderland was impressive, but it did little to ease relegation fears, with Nottingham Forest also picking up three points.

The Hammers remain five points from safety, but confidence has grown following a 2-1 away win over Tottenham, which ended an eight-match winless run on the road (D4, L4). That victory also snapped a run of six straight Premier League defeats in London derbies. West Ham last won two league derbies in succession during the 2021/22 season, when a win over Tottenham was followed by a victory against Chelsea.

Head-to-head

Chelsea have dominated recent meetings, winning the last four league encounters with an aggregate score of 15-2. At Stamford Bridge, they have lost just one of their last 19 Premier League matches against West Ham (W14, D4), winning the most recent five in a row.

Stats and trends

• Chelsea have lost a third of their home league matches this season despite scoring first (W5, D1, L3).
  
• Only Newcastle (149) and Arsenal (136) have taken more corners than Chelsea (132) in the Premier League this season.
  
• West Ham matches have produced the most goals in the opening 15 minutes of any team (14).
  
• West Ham have kept just one clean sheet all season, the lowest total in the league.
  

One to watch and absences

Chelsea’s João Pedro was the hero against Napoli with two second-half goals and could again play a decisive role. He scored once and assisted twice in the 5-1 win over West Ham in the reverse fixture.

For the visitors, Jarrod Bowen remains the main threat. His last three goals have all come inside the opening 30 minutes, while his previous three away goals arrived after the hour mark.

There are no fresh injury concerns reported for either side.