Game Week 23 Predictions: Chelsea to beat West Ham?

Game Week 23 Predictions: Chelsea to beat West Ham? - Premier League, Betting tips, Preview and Analysis

Chelsea's league campaign could finally get kicking when they meet West Ham United on Saturday but will an eye on BVB set them back? (Photo credit: Inside Sport)

West Ham United vs Chelsea

London Stadium

1:30 pm

The UEFA Champions League is back! Chelsea has a date in midweek and will be squaring up with West Ham just across town in the lunchtime kickoff of the weekend.

It’s a must-win for Chelsea, of course, except they want to win the Champions League and return as the defending champions.

Currently tenth on the Premier League log, the Blues must start winning games consistently too.

West Ham laboured to a 1-1 draw against Newcastle last weekend, a result that came out of the blue considering how good the Magpies have been at home this season and the fact that they haven’t conceded in the league since October.

The Hammers sit just a point and place out of the drop zone but the optimism is right at its maximum that the club will swim out without too many hassles.

Hosting Chelsea is a way to prove they can do it against anyone, this is their chance.

Graham Potter doesn’t have Champions League experience, but a trip to a much-improved Borussia Dortmund next Wednesday means he will have a different experience.

Does he focus on that and deprioritize the league campaign considering it’s looking like a lost cause?

The points gap between Chelsea and the top four places stands at a mammoth ten points; it’s not insurmountable, but there are Spurs, Liverpool, and high-flying Brighton to contend with should Newcastle or Manchester United bottle it.

How will either side line up?

There are lots of match-winners in the Chelsea squad; Mhykalo Mudryk had a weak full debut, but Joao Felix will be back from suspension to mesmerise again. It will take more than discipline for West Ham to earn a point from the game.

West Ham can build on last weekend’s result.

The Hammers have a rich history of troubling Chelsea, but the Blues have won four of the last five meetings between the two, and the latest one on Saturday could tell the same story.

David Moyes will feel his team has a chance as he also battles to keep the confidence of the fans following a disappointing run of results. Watch out for Noni Madueke and Carney Chukwuemeka for the visitors, while Jarrod Bowen remains the main man for the hosts.

Verdict: Chelsea to win.