How to watch West Ham vs Chelsea on September 23

September 22, 2018 By Michelle Bonsu

Topics: TV Schedules, West Ham, Chelsea, English Premier League

A win for Chelsea would take the Blues back on top of the Premier League table. Can they keep their perfect season going against a fellow London rival?

Match Preview

Chelsea come into this game having rested several key players, including Eden Hazard, for their trip to Greece to face PAOK in the Europa League. This is the first time the Blues are taking part in the competition at the group stage level and Maurizio Sarri clearly feels that squad rotation is vital in order to keep his team competitive on all fronts.

With a double header against Liverpool looming on the horizon - first in the League Cup midweek and then a top of the table decider next weekend - Sarri is taking no chances when it comes to keeping his star players healthy and ready for bigger challenges ahead. Despite the rotation, the Blues secured a narrow 1-0 road win and now come into this game having won their last six games across all competitions.

That includes a perfect start in the Premier League, where they have won five games out of five and now will be aiming to make it a sixth straight win to keep pace with Liverpool, who are now top of the table. Pedro looks likely to miss out due to a shoulder injury he suffered against PAOK, as well as new signing Mateo Kovacic.

Meanwhile, West Ham secured their first win of the season by beating Everton, but will be missing several players, including Jack Wilshere, Andy Carroll, Manuel Lanzini and Winston Reid. Javier Hernandez is a doubt for this fixture due to illness, whilst Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping that Marko Arnautovic, who was key during the Hammers' 3-1 win over Everton, will have recovered in time from a knee problem to lead the line against Chelsea this Sunday.

Match Facts & Stats

West Ham have won three of their last six Premier League home games against Chelsea (W3 L3)
This ended six-game winless run (D1 L5)
Only Arsenal (123) have won more Premier League London derbies than Chelsea (121)
Chelsea are looking to win their first six games to a Premier League campaign for the third time (after 2005-06 and 2009-10)...
...which is really significant as the Blues have won the league on both times they won their first six games
Marko Arnautovic has been directly involved in 80% of West Ham's five Premier League goals this season with three goals and one assist
Maurizio Sarri could become only the third manager to win his first six Premier League games in charge...
...following in the footsteps of Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola