Noah RosensteinUpdated on: October 13, 2024 2:49 am GMT
West Ham United faces Chelsea this Saturday in a Premier League showdown at the London Stadium, with both teams hoping to secure valuable points early in the season. After a challenging start, the Hammers are eager to turn their home fortunes around against a Chelsea side that has shown signs of improvement.
Team News Ahead of the Clash
As the first whistle approaches, both teams are coping with injury concerns. West Ham’s head coach, Julen Lopetegui, is uncertain about the availability of defender Emerson and forward Niclas Füllkrug. Emerson, who left the pitch early last week with a knock, is being monitored closely. His absence would leave a significant gap in the West Ham defense.
“Fortunately, it wasn’t a big knock for Emerson,” Lopetegui noted in his pre-match press conference. “It’s still Thursday, so we need to review things before the match on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, Füllkrug, who dealt with injuries related to his Achilles tendon and calf muscle during international duty, is also a question mark for the match. Lopesgui stated, “We have to wait until the day before the game to know more about all of them.”
West Ham’s Struggle at Home
The Hammers are looking for their first points at home this season after losing both of their opening fixtures at the London Stadium against Aston Villa and Manchester City. So far, they have managed to collect four points from away matches with a win against Crystal Palace and a draw against Fulham.
- Home Losses: West Ham lost to Aston Villa and Manchester City.
- Away Form: Points gained with a win against Crystal Palace and a draw at Fulham.
- Injury List: Emerson and Füllkrug both face fitness tests before the match.
Chelsea’s Preparation and Injury Updates
On the Chelsea side, coach Enzo Maresca is pleased to see some players returning to health. Enzo Fernández and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are fit again after missing recent games due to illness. There is optimism around the return of Roméo Lavia, while defenders Reece James and Malo Gusto are still sidelined, complicating the defensive strategy.
Chelsea has shown resilience, going unbeaten in their last three league matches. However, the team’s past performances against West Ham have been mixed. They notched a significant victory in the reverse fixture last season, winning 5-0, but lost at the London Stadium earlier.
- Injury Returns: Enzo Fernández and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall back from illness.
- Still Missing: Reece James and Malo Gusto remain unavailable.
- Recent Form: Chelsea is unbeaten in their last three league games.
Key Match Details
As fans gear up for the match, here are the essential details:
| Date | Time | Venue | Referee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, August 21, 2024 | 12:30 BST / 7:30 AM EDT | London Stadium, Stratford | Sam Barrott (on pitch), Stuart Attwell (VAR) |
Expect cool weather with a chance of rain, so fans attending the match should prepare for changing conditions.
What to Watch For
This match presents a unique opportunity for both teams. West Ham, aiming for their first points at home this season, need to shake off their recent losses. For Chelsea, a victory could not only boost their position on the table but build momentum as they head into a congested fixture schedule that includes midweek matches in the League Cup and the UEFA Conference League.
The tactical battle between Lopetegui and Maresca will also be one to watch. Both managers are keen on solidifying their teams’ performances in a league where each point counts significantly.
Recent Head-to-Head
Historically, the matchup has leaned toward home advantage, with West Ham not losing at the London Stadium to Chelsea since 2021. However, previous encounters suggest unpredictability in results:
- Last Season’s Meeting: West Ham lost 3-1 at home.
- Reverse Fixture Victory: Chelsea won 5-0 in May.
Conclusion
As the game gets closer, West Ham United and Chelsea are ready for an exciting match! West Ham is hoping to improve their luck at the London Stadium, while Chelsea wants to keep climbing up the league standings. With injuries affecting the players, fans can look forward to a fun and competitive game on Saturday afternoon.
