The Premier League weekend gets rolling with a London derby on August 22 as West Ham United host rivals Chelsea at the London Stadium.
The Hammers endured a miserable opening weekend to the 2025/26 campaign, as Graham Potter’s side lost 3-0 at newly promoted Sunderland.
Chelsea, meanwhile, were held to a 0-0 home draw by Crystal Palace. The Blues looked a little off-key following their FIFA Club World Cup success, which has meant a reduced preseason programme, and Enzo Maresca will be demanding a response from his squad.
The momentum behind Sunderland making their first Premier League appearance since 2017 was too much for Potter’s charges, but a return to home soil should offer a boost.
Maresca has overseen huge investment in his squad this summer, with Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Andrey Santos and Willian Estevao all making their club top-flight debuts against Palace.
MORE: West Ham could replace Edson Alvarez with Chelsea star
West Ham vs. Chelsea lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injuries
Potter is still without Crysencio Summerville due to a long-term thigh problem and Luis Guilherme is now ruled out following an injury in training.
Summer signing Callum Wilson and veteran Tomas Soucek both came off the bench at Sunderland and could form part of a rotated Hammers team for this clash.
Edson Alvarez will not be involved as he is finalising a loan move to Fenerbahce.
West Ham predicted starting XI (3-5-2, right to left): Hermansen (GK) — Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd — Wan-Bissaka, Soucek, Rodriguez, Paqueta, Diouf — Wilson, Bowen
Injured: Summerville (thigh), Guilherme (shoulder)
Suspended: None
Maresca is still missing some key names from his Chelsea squad with Levi Colwill sidelined until 2026 follow ACL surgery. Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia are not expected back until after the September international break, but Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana are both fit.
Nicolas Jackson is back from suspension but the Senegal international will not be in the matchday squad due to uncertainty over his future. The same is true of Christopher Nkunku. Delap could get the starting nod over Joao Pedro after replacing him late on last weekend.
Chelsea predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sanchez (GK) — James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella — Fernandez, Caicedo — Neto, Palmer, Gittens — Delap
Injured: Badiashile (muscle), Lavia (muscle), Kellyman (thigh), Colwill (ACL)
Suspended: Mudryk (doping violation)
West Ham vs. Chelsea match details
- Date: Friday, August 22, 2025
- Kickoff time: 8 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
- Location: London Stadium, London
- Competition: Premier League
- Referee: Michael Oliver
- VAR: Jarred Gillett
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