Chelsea vs West Ham United Predictions

• West Ham have lost six of seven meetings with the top six
• Chelsea have won six of their eight meetings with the bottom seven, despite playing seven of those on the road
• The Blues have seen BTTS land in nine of their previous 10 home league games
• Jackson has scored a brace in his last two meetings with West Ham

Potter makes Bridge return

The biggest subplot for Chelsea’s clash with West Ham is Graham Potter’s return to Stamford Bridge, following his ill-fated spell with the Blues. After being lured from Brighton, the new Hammers’ boss didn’t even see out the season as he struggled to deal with the chaos surrounding the Blues.

Of course, it won’t register with many members of this Chelsea squad. Just five of the 15 players who featured in Potter’s final game in April 2023 have played for them in the Premier League this season. They’ve combined for just 53 Premier League starts between them. Four of the five had arrived the previous January, part of a huge squad churn that’s transformed their squad.

With the new-look Blues seeing their form slump, can Potter get revenge on his former employers?

Blues need a boost

Chelsea’s slump continued with a defeat at Manchester City last weekend. The Blues made a strong start and failed to truly capitalise on it, before they had another customary lathargic slump. They’ve fallen from title contenders to a return to the Conference League. Given how last season’s sixth-place finish was recieved, Enzo Maresca needs to spark a turnaround.

Chelsea should be confident of getting a result this week, as they host a West Ham side who have lost four of their previous six. The Hammers have been beaten in six of their seven meetings with the top six, including a 3-0 loss at home to Chelsea earlier this term.

The Blues are going through a bad run, but they’ve won six of eight clashes with the bottom seven, having played all of those sides on the road. Their only home game against the league’s strugglers brought a 3-1 victory, a result they’re backed to repeat this week.

Jackson can inspire hosts

Chelsea’s poor form has come during a spell where Nicolas Jackson has seen his goals dry up. The forward continues to get chances – racking up 2.8 Expected Goals without scoring in this last seven appearances. While failing to convert any of those opportunities is a poor return, the forward continues to find himself in good positions.

Jackson created Chelsea’s opener at the Etihad and went on to have two shots on target. The forward also has a fantastic record against West Ham, having netted a brace in each of the previous two meetings between the pair.

Jackson can return to form in Monday’s clash and lead Chelsea to a comfortable win. However, the Blues have seen both teams score in nine of their previous 10 home league games, so back them to win and concede in a 3-1 victory.