Click on any stream link below to watch the game
Click on any link in the table above to watch the game.
-------------------------------------------------
Following their respective 1-1 draws at the outset of the 2023-24 Premier League season, West Ham United and Chelsea are set to face off in a London derby at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams managed to salvage a point in their opening matches after coming from behind. David Moyes's team held Bournemouth to a draw, while Chelsea managed to peg Liverpool back at Stamford Bridge.
With Declan Rice no longer in their midfield lineup, West Ham entered the new season aiming to put Manchester City's relentless pursuit of Lucas Paqueta out of their minds as they faced Bournemouth.
A 51st-minute strike from Jarrod Bowen propelled the winners of the Europa Conference League ahead, but Bournemouth managed to respond with an equalizer from Dominic Solanke eight minutes before the match's end. Despite possessing only 37% of ball possession at the Vitality Stadium, West Ham managed to escape with a point.
Moyes expressed frustration over Bournemouth's "completely lucky" equalizing goal, attributing it to a fortunate bounce that allowed Solanke to score. However, he acknowledged that his team had invited pressure as the second half progressed. He also recognized the potential danger of employing similar tactics against Pochettino's revamped Chelsea.
West Ham's return to the London Stadium is seen as a positive, given their success in their final three home matches last season and their limited home losses – only to Newcastle United and Liverpool – since the start of the year.
Additionally, West Ham has managed to score in all of their competitive home fixtures since a 2-0 defeat to Brentford in December. This has fostered a degree of optimism among the team's supporters, particularly with Chelsea dealing with another injury setback to their captain.
Before their high-profile encounter with Liverpool, Chelsea found themselves embroiled in off-field controversies. The Blues managed to secure Moises Caicedo, who had been pursued by Liverpool in a British-record deal. They also convinced Romeo Lavia to choose Stamford Bridge over Anfield.
In their match against Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp's side sought retribution as Luis Diaz capitalized on Mohamed Salah's well-placed pass to score. However, later in the first half, Chelsea exploited the Reds' vulnerability from a corner, resulting in Axel Disasi's goal from Ben Chilwell's header back into the box.
Apart from a deflected strike from Darwin Nunez that narrowly missed the goal, Chelsea largely dominated the match with just 35% ball possession for Liverpool. Their performance arguably warranted a victory, as Pochettino's influence brought a breath of fresh air to the West London team.
Pochettino's tenure at Chelsea, including their friendly matches, remains undefeated thus far. His primary goal is to reverse Chelsea's concerning trend of winning only one of their last 13 top-flight matches, with none of the previous five ending in victory.
Interestingly, the scoreline was also 1-1 when West Ham and Chelsea faced off at the London Stadium in February. Before that, Chelsea had triumphed over West Ham twice in a row at Stamford Bridge. Notably, there is a promising 19-year-old midfield talent poised to leave his mark for Chelsea.
The upcoming weekend in the Premier League brings an exciting London Derby as West Ham United faces off against Chelsea at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Presently positioned in the 11th spot on the Premier League table, Chelsea's performance hasn't been top-notch in recent times. Their latest match against Liverpool ended in a 1-1 draw, highlighting the need for improvement this weekend.
Contrastingly, West Ham United currently holds the 13th place in the league standings and has shown inconsistency throughout the season. Their previous match against Bournemouth resulted in a 1-1 draw, indicating the necessity for more precision in this upcoming game.
Historically, Chelsea holds a favorable track record against West Ham United, securing victory in 54 out of the 120 matches played between the two teams. In the last eight Premier League home games against Chelsea, West Ham United has alternated between victories and draws, with the Blues being held to a 1-1 draw in the same fixture last season. Chelsea has amassed 149 London Derby wins in the Premier League, aiming to become the second team after Arsenal to reach 150 such victories.
West Ham United concluded the 2022-23 Premier League season on a high note, clinching consecutive home wins against Manchester United and Leeds United in May. In contrast, Chelsea has struggled with just five wins out of their last 30 Premier League games, marking their lowest victory count in such a timeframe since 1988.
Last weekend, West Ham engaged in an entertaining 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, with Jarrod Bowen's remarkable goal leading the way. Manager David Moyes remained optimistic despite his team conceding a lead in the 82nd minute. Moyes even mentioned Bowen's potential to perform as a center-forward, a role he had previously undertaken.
Moyes confirmed no injury concerns during his press conference, and the team now benefits from the availability of new signings Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse. Both players could see action in the upcoming match, with Ward-Prowse having an edge due to his experience in the Premier League.
Maurizio Pochettino, on the other hand, disclosed that Reece James would be sidelined for a few weeks due to a hamstring injury. This situation opens up an opportunity for Malo Gusto to step in as a right-back, while Moises Caicedo is likely to make his debut in central midfield. Romeo Lavia's recent move from Southampton could also earn him a spot in the squad.
The highly anticipated clash between West Ham United and Chelsea is generating significant buzz among football enthusiasts and pundits alike. As two prominent teams in the English Premier League, this match is expected to deliver an intense display of skill, strategy, and passion on the pitch. The fixture carries the weight of local rivalry, adding an extra layer of excitement for fans of both clubs.
West Ham United, led by their astute manager, has been showcasing an impressive run of form in recent months. With a mix of seasoned players and emerging talents, West Ham has managed to solidify their position as a top contender in the league. The team's attacking prowess, combined with a resolute defense, has seen them secure crucial victories against strong opponents. The likes of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek have been pivotal in the team's midfield, orchestrating play and providing defensive stability.
On the other side, Chelsea, a perennial powerhouse, brings their own set of strengths to the encounter. Bolstered by shrewd signings and tactical brilliance, the team has been striving for both domestic and international success. The combination of a solid backline and a creative midfield, possibly featuring players like N'Golo Kanté and Mason Mount, has the potential to unlock West Ham's defense. Additionally, Chelsea's attack, led by prolific goal-scorers such as Timo Werner or a new signing, promises to keep the West Ham defense on their toes.
