West Ham United v Chelsea
Premier League, London Stadium, Sunday 20 August 2023, 4.30pm BST
West Ham United return to London Stadium for a first home fixture of the 2023/24 campaign on Sunday against Chelsea.
By the time David Moyes’ Irons take to the pitch against Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea this weekend it will have been 92 days since West Ham’s last home outing, when the Hammers defeated Leeds United 3-1 on May 21 2023.
Both West Ham and Chelsea earned 1-1 draws in their respective 2023/24 opening day fixtures, with the Irons being held away to AFC Bournemouth, while the Blues drew at home to Liverpool.
Those maiden results put both West Ham and Chelsea in the middle pack in the Premier League, with the two London sides involved in two of the three draws in the opening weekend of top flight football.
London derbies between the two teams are always entertaining contests, with early points up for grabs in east London.
Tickets…
Tickets for this sold out game are available on the Ticket Exchange, with Season Ticket Holders who cannot attend this fixture relisting their seats for other supporters to buy. Click here to check availability or relist.
Travel…
Supporters heading to London Stadium should note there are a handful of disruptions to public transport that may impede their journey to Sunday's fixture.
The Docklands Light Railway will have no service between Canning Town and Stratford International. Fans who usually utilise this line are advised, where possible, to make use of Jubilee Line services.
Meanwhile, on the London Overground, no trains will run between South Tottenham and Barking Overside until 12.30pm. Replacement bus service T will be in operation between Walthamstow Central and Barking. From 12.30pm onwards, no trains will run between Barking Overside and Barking. Supporters can use local London Buses routes EL1 EL2 and EL3.
The Central and Jubilee lines are set to serve Stratford as normal on Sunday, with no engineering work planned. The Elizabeth Line will also be operating as normal on Sunday after 6.30am.
On the c2c line, engineering works are planned betweeen Barking and Fenchurch Street, and between Barking and Grays via Rainham. Shuttle services are set to operate between Upminster and Pitsea via Grays, and rail replacement buses are to operate between Grays, Purfleet, Rainham, and Upminster.
Click here to plan your journey on the Transport for London network, or here for National Rail services.
How To Follow…
Sunday’s Premier League game will be broadcast live on television in the UK by Sky Sports and will be shown across the world by the Premier League's international broadcast partners.
You can listen to commentary in the UK on talkSPORT, BBC Radio London 94.9FM and worldwide on whufc.com and our official app.
You can also follow the action via our live blog on whufc.com and our app and across our social media channels. We will also have highlights and exclusive reaction for you after the final whistle.
We are West Ham. United
At West Ham United, we are proud to be based in one of the most multicultural areas of the country where equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do. Regardless of ethnicity, disability, gender, age, sexual orientation or beliefs, everyone is welcome at our Club.
Our aspiration is to be the equity leader in football and alongside our supporters, this is something we are continually looking to build on and improve. We thank all of our fans for their ongoing support and for helping us to eradicate the bad behaviours which do not represent our Club, our community or our West Ham United family.
To report any concerns on matchday, text SUPPORT plus your message to 83121 or speak to the nearest steward, SLO or Police Officer. Text messages are treated in the strictest confidence, and, for our staff, it is better to monitor the situation as it is happening and to be able to take action at the time of it occurring. Our Conduct Charter is created to further support the provision of a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for all West Ham United supporters and staff at home and away matches, on social media, Club related meetings or events, or in any other forum.
Team News…
Manager David Moyes added James Ward-Prowse to his squad on Monday after the England international made the switch to West Ham United from Southampton.
He and fellow midfielder Edson Álvarez have enjoyed a week of training with their new teammates, while the side came away from Saturday’s 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth with no injury concerns.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will definitely be without summer signing Christopher Nkunku. The French international is anticipated to be out for several months after undergoing knee surgery.
Fellow Frenchman Wesley Fofana has also sustained a serious injury and is expected to be out of action for the foreseeable future.
Centre-back Benoit Badiashile has returned to training after a hamstring injury at the end of last season, but this weekend’s match will likely come too soon for the Frenchman. Trevor Chalobah, Armando Broja and Marcus Bettinelli are all still absent due to injury.
Ecuadorian international Moisés Caicedo completed a transfer to the Blues from Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday and could be in line for his Chelsea debut at London Stadium.
Opposition…
It has been all change at Stamford Bridge this summer.
After Tomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard all took turns in the dugout at Chelsea last season, former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has been tasked with turning things around in west London.
The Argentine’s appointment has been followed by a thorough squad revamp, with notable names departing and younger players, oozing with world-class potential, added to the first-team group.
A dressing room bulging with talent has been trimmed down in the off-season. Experienced heads such as N'Golo Kanté, Kalidou Koulibaly and Édouard Mendy have made the switch to Saudi Arabia, while the likes of Mason Mount, Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovačić have been sold to other Premier League sides.
Stalwarts like Ruben Loftus-Cheek and César Azpilicueta have also moved on, making way for names like Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Lesley Ugochukwu and Axel Disasi.
Most recently, the addition of Moisés Caicedo in midfield for a reported British record transfer fee has caught the eye of fans across the country, as the Blues look towards a bright future under their new boss.
Recent history has seen success in droves at Stamford Bridge though. The Roman Abramovich era, which came to an end in May 2022, saw five Premier League titles, five FA Cups and four European trophies (two UEFA Champions Leagues and two UEFA Europa Leagues) won.
With Pochettino at the helm and the new ownership group, led by Todd Boehly, willing to invest in the squad, Chelsea fans will be hoping for even more silverware in the near future.
Previous Meetings…
West Ham and Chelsea have met 54 times in Premier League matches alone in the two Club’s respective histories.
First clashing in the Premier League in October 1993, A Trevor Morley finish late in the first half secured a 1-0 victory for the Irons at the Boleyn Ground, in a match that saw Dennis Wise sent off for the Blues just a minute later!
Fixtures have generally gone Chelsea’s way in the years since but home comforts have been a real advantage in recent years, it seems.
In fact, the Hammers have only lost once in the last six home matches against Sunday’s opponents. A 1-1 draw last season, secured thanks to Emerson Palmieri’s finish against his former club, was preceded by a thrilling 3-2 victory against the Blues in the 2021/22 campaign.
Chelsea got the better of the Irons by a 1-0 score-line at London Stadium in April 2021, but Andriy Yarmolenko’s late finish secured a massive three points as the home side ran out 3-2 winners in July 2020.
The only time the two teams have met in anything other than Premier League action in the last 20 years came in the 2016/17 Capital One Cup fourth round, when goals from Cheikhou Kouyaté and Edimilson Fernandes earned the Irons a 2-1 victory at London Stadium.
Match Officials…
Referee: John Brooks
Assistants: Lee Betts & Akil Howson
Fourth Official: Craig Pawson
VAR: Paul Tierney
Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger
John Brooks has been confirmed as the referee for West Ham United’s home match with Chelsea this weekend.
The Leicestershire-born official will be the man in the middle for the Irons’ first home fixture of the 2023/24 season, as David Moyes’ men welcome Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea side to London Stadium on Sunday.
Brooks was promoted to the Select Group 1 of referees in June 2021 and took charge of his first Premier League match in December of the same year. He took charge of Crystal Palace’s 1-0 win against Sheffield United on Saturday at Bramall Lane.
Brooks officiated 19 Premier League matches last season, although only one of these included West Ham United. He was the referee for the Irons’ defeat at Manchester City in May.
Click through here for more information on this Sunday's match officials.
