Chelsea Match Preview

Apart from the 3-1 defeat to newly-promoted Leicester City back on 3 December, West Ham United have picked up results from every other midweek game that they have played in the Premier League this season to date. They will be looking to do the same against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tonight, as they face the second of back-to-back games on the road.

The Hammers ended January with a performance that the fan base would have been proud of in the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa eight days ago and Graham Potter will want his side to build on that result, as he returns to his former club for the first time since being relieved of his duties in April 2023.

The performances put in by the Irons since the former Brighton and Hove Albion and Blues boss took over in East London have been positive, even though he has only managed a solitary win from his four games in charge and he would love to beat his former club here.

Enzo Maresca’s team haven’t been in great form since the end of December, having dropped points against teams such as Everton, Fulham, Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth in recent weeks.

The East Londoners recorded a memorable victory here in 2019. Could they do the same again this time around? They will hope so but will be wary of the hosts needing to bounce back after their 3-1 defeat at Manchester City last time out. On the other hand, the Hammers will be full of confidence, following that crucial point at Villa Park.

The omens may be on the side of the Irons here, as they are again in action on the night the January transfer window closes, just like they were when the summer window closed in 2023. They faced newly-promoted Luton Town on that occasion and the visitors emerged victorious from Kenilworth Road so they are hoping for the same outcome.

Neither Crysencio Summerville or Jarrod Bowen made the squad last weekend but having had another full week in training, Potter is hopeful that one or both may make the squad tonight. Lucas Paquetá will face a late fitness test, as he picked up a groin injury in the closing minutes of the game against Unai Emery’s side.

Konstantinos Mavropanos is available again after suspension following his red card against the Eagles back on January 18. The Head-Coach must decide whether to put the defender straight back into the starting line-up or keep faith with Aaron Cresswell.

Alphonse Areola was preferred to Łukasz Fabiański against the Villans last time out and the Frenchman is set to retain his place in goal.

New signing Evan Ferguson joined the club on a loan deal for the rest of the current campaign today but won’t be involved tonight. The same goes for midfielder James Ward Prowse, who returned from his season-long loan at Nottingham Forest.

As he has done throughout his short tenure at the helm, Potter is again likely to include a number of the club’s youngsters on the bench but one that won’t make an appearance in West London is defender Regan Clayton, as he has joined Vanarama National League side Dagenham and Redbridge on loan for the rest of the campaign.

The match is an 8pm kick-off and live coverage will be screened by Sky Sports from 6:30pm. The referee is Stuart Attwell.