West Ham vs Chelsea prediction, betting tips and odds: Blues forward can strike an early blow

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Where to watch West Ham vs Chelsea

You can watch West Ham vs Chelsea in the Premier League at 12.30pm on Saturday, September 21, live on TNT Sports 1

Match prediction & best bet

Nicolas Jackson to be first goalscorer
1pt 6-1 general

Chelsea to score a penalty
1pt 5-1 bet365

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West Ham vs Chelsea odds

West Ham 12-5
Chelsea 11-10
Draw 29-10

Odds correct at time of publishing

West Ham vs Chelsea predictions

West Ham's Premier League meetings with Chelsea last season were lively affairs and the London rivals should produce another entertaining encounter this weekend.

The Hammers beat the Blues 3-1 at the London Stadium in the early weeks of 2023-24, when Enzo Fernandez missed a first-half penalty for Chelsea and the hosts had centre-back Nayef Aguerd sent off with more than 20 minutes remaining.

West Ham's memories of the return fixture are less fond, as they were thumped 5-0 at Stamford Bridge in May during Chelsea's strong finish to the season under Mauricio Pochettino.

They won six of their last seven home league games last term but Pochettino's successor Enzo Maresca is bidding for a third straight away win when he takes his side from west to east London.

Chelsea romped to a 6-2 win over Wolves at Molineux before last weekend's 1-0 victory at Bournemouth, where substitute Christopher Nkunku sealed the points with an 86th-minute goal.

That was Chelsea's first away clean sheet in the Premier League since the first week of October 2023, when they won 2-0 at Fulham, but it was hardly a defensive masterclass.

Bournemouth missed a penalty, hit the woodwork through Marcus Tavernier and Ryan Christie and had another six shots on target, which should encourage West Ham's talented attackers.

Last season's star performers Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta have been joined by winger Crysencio Summerville and former Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug, who hit the post in June's Champions League final.

Stalwart midfielder Tomas Soucek has also posed a major attacking threat although Erling Haaland's hat-trick for Manchester City exposed West Ham's defensive frailties in their last home fixture.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is not in Haaland's league when it comes to ruthless finishing but he has the ability to unsettle opposition defences and is a tempting bet to open the scoring.

Both of Jackson's league goals this season have been the first of the match as he struck in the second minute against Wolves and the 25th minute in the home draw with Crystal Palace.

The Senegal international has a decent record of 16 goals in 35 starts for Chelsea and the odds about the visitors scoring a penalty also appeal.

After Fernandez's miss in this fixture last season, the Blues converted all 11 of the Premier League penalties they were awarded and their array of pacy wingers are capable of drawing rash challenges from defenders.

First-choice penalty-taker Cole Palmer is a class act from 12 yards and Nkunku scored spot-kicks in both legs of the Conference League playoff against Servette this season.  

Key stat

No Premier League team were awarded more penalties than Chelsea's 12 last season

West Ham vs Chelsea team news

West Ham
Full-back Emerson and striker Niclas Fullkrug are doubts. Michail Antonio may drop out of the starting 11 with Jarrod Bowen moving to centre-forward.

Chelsea
Reece James and Malo Gusto remain sidelined and Romeo Lavia is a doubt. Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are fit again after missing the win at Bournemouth.

Probable teams

West Ham (4-2-3-1): Areola; Wan-Bisakka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez, Rodriguez; Kudus, Paqueta, Summerville; Bowen
Subs: Antonio, Emerson, Ings, Soler, Soucek, Coufal, Todibo

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Disasi, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Subs: Neto, Nkunku, Badiashile, Veiga, Felix, Adarabioyo, Lavia

Inside info

West Ham

Star man Mohammed Kudus
Top scorer Jarrod Bowen
Penalty taker Lucas Paqueta
Card magnet Lucas Paqueta
Assist ace Mohammed Kudus
Set-piece aerial threat Dinos Mavropanos

Chelsea

Star man Cole Palmer
Top scorer Nicolas Jackson
Penalty taker Cole Palmer
Card magnet Marc Cucurella
Assist ace Cole Palmer
Set-piece aerial threat Wesley Fofana

West Ham vs Chelsea bet builder predictions

Over 3.5 goals
Nine of Chelsea's last 12 Premier League away games had over 3.5 goals and they thrashed West Ham 5-0 at Stamford Bridge in May

Mohammed Kudus to have over 1.5 shots
The West Ham winger has had at least two shots in his first four league appearances, including three against champions Manchester City

Guido Rodriguez to be shown a card
West Ham's Argentinian midfielder has been cautioned in his last two league games and may cross the line in a feisty midfield scrap

Pays out at 9-1 with bet365

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