Chelsea vs West Ham

Stamford Bridge lights up this evening, Saturday, January 31, 2026, for a high-stakes London derby that finds two historic rivals at opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. Kick-off is scheduled for 17:30 GMT.

Chelsea (5th, 37 points) are riding a wave of momentum under new head coach Liam Rosenior, looking to leapfrog Manchester United into the Champions League spots. Meanwhile, West Ham (18th, 20 points) are showing late signs of life in their fight against the drop, having secured vital back-to-back wins to move within striking distance of safety.

Match Information

Chelsea: The Rosenior Revolution

The "BlueCo" project appears to have finally found its rhythm. Since Liam Rosenior took the reins on January 6th, the Blues have won five of their last six matches across all competitions. They arrive tonight fresh from a sensational midweek 3–2 Champions League comeback against Antonio Conte’s Napoli, a result that secured their place in the Round of 16.

Team News and Selection:

• Palmer Returns: Rosenior has confirmed that Cole Palmer is "fully fit" and will likely reclaim his starting spot after providing two crucial assists off the bench in Naples.

• In-Form Striker: João Pedro is the man of the moment, boasting four goals in his last four appearances, including the winning brace against Napoli.

• Defensive Depth Test: The Blues remain thin at the back; Levi Colwill (ACL) is out for the season, while Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana are facing late fitness tests. Mykhailo Mudryk serves the final game of his suspension.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; James, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Andrey Santos; Estêvão, Palmer, Gittens; João Pedro.

West Ham: Fighting for the "Great Escape"

Just a few weeks ago, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side looked destined for the Championship. However, consecutive wins over Tottenham and Sunderland have reignited hope in East London. The Hammers are still five points adrift of 17th-placed Crystal Palace, but the mood has shifted from "despair" to "defiance."

Team News and Selection:

• January Reinforcements: New signings Valentin "Taty" Castellanos and Pablo Felipe have integrated quickly, with both expected to start. The club also recently added Adama Traoré, who could make his full debut today.

• Key Absences: Veteran goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański is the only confirmed absentee (back injury), meaning Alphonse Areola continues between the sticks.

• The Captain’s Burden: Jarrod Bowen remains the heart of this team, leading them in both goals (8) and chances created this season.

• Predicted XI (4-3-3): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Mavropanos, Scarles; Souček, Mateus Fernandes, Kudus; Bowen, Castellanos, Summerville.

? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats

• Reverse Fixture: Chelsea cruised to a 5–1 victory at the London Stadium back in August 2025.

• Home Form vs. Away Woes: Chelsea have only lost once at Stamford Bridge since November. West Ham have won just one of their last nine away league matches.

• The "Estêvão" Factor: The 18-year-old Brazilian starlet Estêvão has been directly involved in a goal in each of his last three Premier League starts.

• Defensive Leak: West Ham have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 21 consecutive Premier League matches.

Tactical Analysis and Prediction

Rosenior’s Chelsea plays with an energy and tactical fluidity that was missing earlier in the season. Expect them to dominate possession, with Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo dictating the tempo. The main threat for the Hammers will be the directness of Estêvão and the clinical finishing of João Pedro.

West Ham will likely sit deep and look to hit Chelsea on the counter using the pace of Crysencio Summerville. Nuno’s strategy has recently focused on making the game "ugly" and winning through set-piece dominance via Souček. However, given Chelsea's European high and West Ham's porous defense, the Blues should prevail.

Final Score Prediction: Chelsea 3–1 West Ham