CHELSEA v West Ham: Preview

Date: Saturday thirty first
January 2026

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Kick-off: 17:30 GMT

Would
you consider it? Chelsea lastly determined to point out some character for a giant night time
in Naples — simply after we thought we’d be on for one more European wobble!

Champions League final
16 ticket safely tucked away, and it’s straight again to Stamford Bridge —
hardly time for a celebratory pint. The Hammers are subsequent up, and simply as we’re
hoping for a pleasant, easy Saturday, they’ve remembered how one can win. Typical,
isn’t it? Three wins on the trot, swaggering in like they’re the East London
Galácticos. In the meantime, we’ve stitched collectively 5 wins in six, however let’s be
sincere, it’s not fairly been silky Blues — extra like a half-dipped Wealthy Tea: it’ll
do the job, however don’t go dunking it too lengthy or it’ll crumble.

Final day trip, we
completely walloped West Ham, however — to be honest — that they had Graham Potter within the
dugout, and their defence was about as sturdy as a backyard fence after a windy
night time. Now it’s Nuno prowling the touchline, most likely wishing he was again in Portugal
tucking right into a pastel de nata quite than preventing the drop. They’ve picked up
a number of outcomes, however let’s not child ourselves, they’re nonetheless clinging to 18 th
place like that one mate who gained’t depart the pub at closing time. Determined for
factors, determined for something — it’ll be extra scrap than samba.

So, neglect European glamour,
it’s again to good previous Premier League slog. Heads out the clouds, boots on the
deck, and let’s attempt to not crash all the way down to earth with a bump!

MANAGER’S VIEWS

Going into
in the present day’s sport, Liam Rosenior, says “For me tomorrow is the largest sport of
the season, it’s quite simple. I’m going to seek out out a lot. We’ve got actually
good gamers, however if you wish to be a constant successful staff, these are the
video games the place you need to step ahead and never be complacent. After a tremendous
win in Italy, to come back again three days later, I wish to see the consistency
ranges of the group. That’s why for me this can be a huge mark of the place we’re
actually at. The gamers are sensible to work with, I believe they’re actually
engaged, they’re displaying actual perception in what we’re making an attempt to do collectively,’ he
stated. ‘However I believe successful helps your message as a coach and we’ve got to maintain
doing our easiest to win video games.”

On West
Ham, Rosenior says “I’m not shocked Nuno has put his stamp on the staff. All
of his groups have at all times been actually organised with out the ball, whether or not that’s
in a 4-4-2 or a 5-4-1 form, and so they’ve at all times been excellent in transition
moments. [Jarrod] Bowen and [Crysencio] Summerville are actual threats for them
and that’s one thing we’ve spoken about.”

West Ham
supervisor, Nuno Espirito Santo, in the meantime, says “They [Chelsea] have a number of
expertise. They’re world champions, so I don’t suppose anybody can say they’re
inexperienced. They’ve introduced gamers in with high quality for a very long time now. They
have a number of expertise. The gamers, the best way they performed in opposition to a very good
facet [Napoli]. Liam is doing effectively. They’ve had good outcomes and the
performances have been good.”

SQUAD NEWS

For Chelsea, Levi Colwill (ACL), Dario Essugo, Tosin Adarabioyo
(hamstring), Romeo Lavia (thigh) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspended) all stay
out.

For West Ham, Lukasz
Fabianski (again) is West Ham’s solely damage concern.

TEAMS

CHELSEA (Doable line-up): Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Neto, Fernandez, Garnacho; Peter

WEST HAM (Doable line-up): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Mavropanos, Diouf; Bowen,
Fernandes, Soucek, Summerville; Pablo; Castellanos

LAST SEASON

Chelsea 2-1 West Ham (third
February 2025)

CURRENT FORM (PL)

CHELSEA: LDDLWW

WEST HAM: LDLLWW

OTHER STUFF

Chelsea
have gained their final 4 Premier League video games in opposition to West HamWest Ham have gained simply one among their final
19 Premier League away video games in opposition to ChelseaChelsea have scored 109 objectives in 59
Premier League video games in opposition to West Ham, their second-highest tally in opposition to an
opponent after Sp*rsWest
Ham gained their final London derby (in opposition to Sp*rs)

PREDICTION

Sportsmole: Chelsea 2-0 West Ham