West Ham vs Chelsea preview: Betting tips, odds and predictions

LONDON rivals West Ham United and Chelsea will renew hostilities this Friday at the London Stadium, as both sides go in search of their first win of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.

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West Ham vs Chelsea preview

West Ham United and Chelsea get the ball rolling on Gameweek 2 of the 2025/26 Premier League season with a Friday night clash under the lights at the London Stadium.

And while both sides are still searching for their first win of the campaign, they head into the contest with very different levels of optimism and expectation.

For Chelsea, who lifted both the Conference League and Club World Cup last season, this is a campaign full of promise. With Champions League football back at Stamford Bridge and over £240 million spent in the summer window, hopes are high for a top-four finish – if not more.

Their campaign began with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace, and while the final scoreline was underwhelming, there were positives. Enzo Maresca’s side created 1.81 expected goals (xG) and registered 19 attempts, despite hitting the target just three times.

That result also came against a strong Palace side under Oliver Glasner, who are unbeaten in 10 matches across all competitions, having claimed two trophies either side of the summer break.

History also favours Chelsea in this fixture. The Blues have won five of their last seven Premier League meetings with the Hammers, and they haven’t failed to score in their opening two league games of a campaign since 1995/96.

As for West Ham, the outlook is more uncertain with manager Graham Potter having recorded just five wins in 19 league games.

They slumped to a 3-0 defeat away at Sunderland in their opener and were laboured going forward – failing to register a big chance, and producing a meagre xG of 0.56 against the Premier League newboys.

The Hammers have also won just two of their nine home Premier League matches under Graham Potter (D3 L4), picking up nine points. No Hammers manager has ever won fewer than 10 points in their first 10 home games in the competition.

West Ham vs Chelsea preview betting odds

West Ham 17/4 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

Draw 3/1 with Midnite – CLAIM HERE

Chelsea 5/8 with BetMGM – CLAIM HERE

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

West Ham vs Chelsea preview betting tips and predictions

Win to Nil

Things aren’t looking too cheerful in east London – and Chelsea may be about to pile on more misery for West Ham on Friday night.

The Hammers slumped to a 3-0 defeat against newly-promoted Sunderland last weekend, failing to register a single big chance and managing just 0.56 xG – the joint second-lowest in the division. Their blunt attack left the Stadium of Light without a goal and with few positives.

Worryingly, home form has also been poor under Graham Potter. West Ham have won just two of their nine Premier League matches at the London Stadium since his arrival (D3 L4), collecting only nine points. They’ve also struggled to find the net, scoring just seven goals in their last six home games. Only the three relegated clubs managed fewer shots on target in that stretch.

Chelsea, meanwhile, weren’t spectacular in their 0–0 draw with Crystal Palace, but showed plenty of attacking promise – producing 19 shots and 1.60 xG. With Enzo Maresca already tightening things up at the back and West Ham looking toothless, a Chelsea win to nil looks like a solid shout.

Chelsea Win to Nil at 2/1 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

Big value

A long shot? Maybe. But there’s real value in backing Trevoh Chalobah to find the net with a header on Friday night.

Why? Well, Chelsea looked threatening from set-pieces in their opener – taking a league-high 11 corners against Crystal Palace, with seven leading to attempts on goal. Enzo Maresca’s side also posted an xG of 0.60 from set plays – the fourth-highest across the league in matchweek one – and created a chance every 5.1 minutes.

On the other side, West Ham struggled to defend aerial threats in their opener against newly-promoted Sunderland, conceding 10 shots, half of which were headed efforts on target – the worst in the division.

That sets the stage nicely for Chalobah, who’s a genuine set-piece threat. Last season, the 26-year-old scored more goals from set-pieces than any other Chelsea player, converting three of his 14 headed attempts (eight of which were on target) in just 25 league games.

Trevoh Chalobah to score a header at 18/1 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

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