West Ham United vs Chelsea: Prediction, Head to Head, Teams Form and Betting Tips

The Premier League kicks off its second matchday with a highly anticipated London derby as West Ham United host Chelsea FC at the London Stadium on Friday, August 22, 2025, with an 8:00 PM BST kick-off.

This clash promises to be an electrifying encounter, with both teams desperate to secure their first victory of the 2025/26 season after disappointing opening weekends.

West Ham, under the guidance of Graham Potter, face immense pressure to rebound from a humbling defeat, while Chelsea, managed by Enzo Maresca, aim to translate their pre-season promise into league points.

With the vibrant atmosphere of a Friday night under the lights, this match could set the tone for both sides’ campaigns.

Team form & recent performances

West Ham United’s start to the season was nothing short of disastrous, as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to newly promoted Sunderland on matchday one. The Hammers looked disjointed, lacking creativity and defensive solidity, with their pre-season promise—three wins from five friendlies—fading quickly.

In their last five competitive matches, including the tail end of last season, West Ham’s record reads LWWWL (loss, win, win, win, loss), highlighting inconsistency. Their attack, led by Jarrod Bowen, has shown flashes of brilliance, with Bowen scoring three goals in his last four London derbies.

However, defensive frailties were exposed against Sunderland, where goalkeeper Mads Hermansen conceded three goals, and the team failed to keep a clean sheet.

The absence of Crysencio Summerville and George Earthy due to injuries further limits their attacking options, placing pressure on players like Lucas Paquetá to deliver.

Chelsea, meanwhile, also failed to impress in their opener, drawing 0-0 at home to Crystal Palace despite dominating possession with 510 passes. Their recent form across all competitions is strong, with a record of WWWDW (win, win, win, draw, win), including a 3-0 Club World Cup final victory over PSG.

However, their goalless draw against Palace exposed a lack of cutting edge, with no shots forcing a save until the 89th minute. Cole Palmer remains the creative hub, with three goals and two assists in six Club World Cup matches, while Joao Pedro’s integration from Brighton adds firepower.

Defensively, Chelsea have been solid, keeping three consecutive clean sheets in the league, but their inability to convert chances raises questions about new signings like Estevao and Liam Delap. With injuries to Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, and Benoit Badiashile, Maresca may need to rely on youth to spark the attack.

Head-to-head record

Historically, Chelsea hold the upper hand in this fixture, with 57 wins to West Ham’s 44 across 124 meetings in all competitions. In the Premier League era, the Blues have been dominant, securing 32 victories compared to West Ham’s 15 in 58 encounters.

Recent meetings strongly favor Chelsea, who have won their last three clashes, including a 3-0 thrashing at the London Stadium in September 2024 and a 2-1 home win in February 2025, courtesy of goals from Pedro Neto and an own goal by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

West Ham’s last victory over Chelsea came in August 2023, a 3-1 home win, but their overall record at home against the Blues is mixed, with four wins in their last eight Premier League home games against them.

Notably, Chelsea have not won back-to-back away matches against West Ham in 11 years, suggesting the Hammers could pose a challenge if they rediscover their home form.

Prediction & scoreline

This match pits two teams with contrasting narratives: West Ham’s desperation to avoid a relegation scrap against Chelsea’s ambition to establish themselves as title contenders. The Hammers’ lackluster performance against Sunderland exposed tactical and personnel issues under Potter, who has yet to beat his former club in seven attempts.

Their defensive vulnerabilities and injury concerns in attack make it difficult to see them breaking down Chelsea’s robust backline.

Chelsea, despite their blunt display against Palace, boast superior quality, with players like Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro likely to exploit West Ham’s fragile defense. The Blues’ recent dominance in this fixture, combined with their solid defensive record, points to an away victory.

However, West Ham’s home crowd and Bowen’s derby scoring form suggest they could nick a goal.

Analysts predict a likely 3-0 Chelsea victory, with Chelsea favored to control possession and create more chances. Although Chelsea is still integrating new signings and refining their play, their overall quality and recent head-to-head dominance over West Ham suggest they will come out on top in this London derby.

Betting tips

Chelsea is the favorite to win the match against West Ham, supported by their current form and strong head-to-head record. The odds favor Chelsea to secure a comfortable victory, making a bet on Chelsea to win a reliable choice for this game.

The match is also predicted to have under 2.5 total goals. Both teams are expected to play cautiously, with Chelsea still adjusting their lineup and West Ham struggling offensively. This suggests a controlled game with a moderate number of scoring opportunities.

Chelsea is likely to score first, taking advantage of West Ham’s defensive weaknesses. Given this, betting on Chelsea to open the scoring is a popular tip. Additionally, Chelsea is expected to keep a clean sheet, as West Ham has had trouble creating chances recently, so a “both teams to score: no” bet could be successful.

For individual player bets, Cole Palmer is a promising choice to score anytime, with a history of good performances against West Ham. On the West Ham side, Jarrod Bowen is expected to have at least one shot on target, which could be another interesting betting angle.