- West Ham have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven matches against Chelsea
- 10 of Chelsea's 11 league wins last season came against their fellow bottom-half clubs
- Recommended bet: Tie with Goals

Chelsea made a promising start to life under Mauricio Pochettino with a 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool last weekend and they are favourites to claim the first win of their new era at London rivals West Ham.

The Hammers ended last season on a high by winning the Europa Conference League but captain Declan Rice was sold to Arsenal and they began their 2023-24 domestic campaign with a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.

Both clubs are aiming to improve on last season's underwhelming performances in the Premier League – Chelsea limped home in 12th, two places and four points ahead of the Hammers – and a feisty London derby is expected on Sunday.

West Ham vs Chelsea (Sunday, 4.30pm)

Team news

Midfielder James Ward-Prowse, signed from Southampton, should make his West Ham debut alongside Tomas Soucek. Edson Alvaraz, another new arrival in midfield, is likely to start on the bench and David Moyes has no fresh injury concerns after the trip to Bournemouth.

Chelsea's injury woes continue as Reece James, the Blues' newly-appointed captain, has joined Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah on the sidelines. However, Moises Caicedo could start after completing a British record transfer from Brighton.

The stats

Four of West Ham's last seven home defeats were by a 2-0 scoreline, while the Hammers have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven matches against Chelsea

There have been over 2.5 goals in four of West Ham's last five home league games.

Chelsea scored only 38 goals in 38 Premier League matches last season, while they have conceded the first goal in seven of their last eight league matches.

Of the Blues' 11 league wins last season, 10 came against their fellow bottom-half clubs

Prediction

Despite a pre-season injury to new forward Nkunku, Chelsea posed a decent attacking threat against Liverpool although they were grateful for a VAR offside decision ruling out a first-half Mohamed Salah goal that would have put the Reds 2-0 up.

There should be more goalmouth entertainment when they travel to the London Stadium to face a West Ham side who created plenty of chances in their draw at Bournemouth despite not having a great deal of possession.

The Hammers have a good recent home record against the Blues, winning 3-2 in 2019-20 and 2021-22 before a 1-1 draw last season, and they can hold their own this weekend.

Pochettino's Blues are bound to take time to gel after a huge summer overhaul of the squad, and several significant injuries, so the Tie with Goals could be a good bet in the Match Result/Both Teams to Score market.

Back the Tie with Goals at 3/1 with LiveScore Bet

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