Sport Nation 2West Ham United, led by Julen Lopetegui, will face Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea in an exciting Premier League matchup at the London Stadium on Saturday, September 21, 2024. This match will be critical for West Ham, as they aim to collect seven points from a possible 15 in their quest to climb the Premier League table. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., and fans are eager to see how both teams will line up for this London derby.
West Ham’s Predicted Lineup vs Chelsea
Recent West Ham Formations
West Ham’s starting goalkeeper this season has been Alphonse Areola, who has featured in all their league matches except for a cup victory against Bournemouth, where Łukasz Fabiański stepped in for a 1-0 win. Areola, the 31-year-old French international, has conceded five goals in four matches, earning one clean sheet in an away match against Crystal Palace. Despite the goals conceded, his save percentage stands at a respectable 67%, with an xG (expected goals) faced of 4.05.
In defense, Emerson Palmieri, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Max Kilman, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka made up the back four in their last Premier League fixture against Manchester City. Emerson had to be substituted early in the second half due to injury, with Vladimir Coufal stepping in to finish the match.
West Ham’s defensive structure has undergone changes as Lopetegui works to integrate his squad into a more cohesive unit. Against City, the team fielded a midfield trio of Guido Rodriguez, Edson Alvarez, and star man Lucas Paqueta. Rodriguez, a new signing from Real Betis, was a free transfer and has settled quickly into the squad alongside Alvarez, his former teammate from their days at Liga MX side Club America.
In the Hammers’ previous game against Fulham, Lopetegui opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation. Rodriguez and Alvarez played in defensive midfield, while Mohammed Kudus, Tomas Soucek, and Jarrod Bowen supported striker Michail Antonio in attack. Rodriguez and Alvarez’s chemistry from their time at Club America has translated well to the Premier League, providing West Ham with a solid midfield partnership.
West Ham’s Recent Performances
West Ham comes into this match following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage. The Hammers snatched a late equalizer through Danny Ings in the 95th minute, despite only creating one significant scoring chance throughout the game. Fulham had five shots on target compared to West Ham’s three, but Lopetegui’s side managed to salvage a point. Prior to this draw, West Ham suffered a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City in a match where they had 10 shots on goal, tying Chelsea for the most shots City has faced this season. Despite the loss, West Ham’s ability to create chances against one of the league’s best teams was a positive takeaway.
Before their encounter with Manchester City, West Ham had won their previous two league matches, showcasing a mix of resilience and tactical flexibility under Lopetegui’s guidance. The Spanish manager has been willing to make adjustments to his squad, as seen in the various formations and tactical changes he has employed throughout the season.
Injury Concerns for West Ham
West Ham’s key injury concern is with Niclas Füllkrug, who picked up a calf injury on September 9. While the severity of the injury is still being assessed, it is highly unlikely that Füllkrug will be available for this weekend’s match against Chelsea or their upcoming Carabao Cup third-round fixture against Liverpool.
West Ham Predicted Lineup
- Goalkeeper: Alphonse Areola
- Left-back: Emerson Palmieri
- Center-back: Max Kilman
- Center-back: Konstantinos Mavropanos
- Right-back: Aaron Wan-Bissaka
- Central midfield: Guido Rodriguez
- Central midfield: Edson Alvarez
- Attacking midfield: Lucas Paqueta
- Left midfield: Mohammed Kudus
- Striker: Michail Antonio
- Right midfield: Jarrod Bowen
This lineup reflects the defensive stability Lopetegui has been striving for, combined with the attacking prowess of players like Paqueta, Kudus, and Bowen, who have the ability to break down opposing defenses.
Chelsea’s Predicted Lineup vs West Ham
Chelsea, under the new leadership of Enzo Maresca, will visit the London Stadium hoping to move closer to the European places after a shaky start to the season. Chelsea’s performances have been mixed, and they will be looking to secure a win in this all-important London derby.
Chelsea’s Recent Lineups
Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper has been Robert Sanchez, while Filip Jorgensen has been given opportunities in European competitions. In defense, Maresca has preferred a back four consisting of Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, and Marc Cucurella, with Axel Disasi also featuring in recent matches.
Chelsea’s midfield and attack have undergone changes due to injuries and tactical rotations. Captain Reece James remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, which has kept him out of all Premier League matches so far this season. His absence has been a significant blow for Chelsea, as he is a crucial player both defensively and offensively.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup
- Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez
- Left-back: Marc Cucurella
- Center-back: Levi Colwill
- Center-back: Wesley Fofana
- Right-back: Malo Gusto
- Midfield: Moisés Caicedo
- Midfield: Conor Gallagher
- Midfield: Enzo Fernández
- Left-wing: Mykhailo Mudryk
- Striker: Nicolas Jackson
- Right-wing: Raheem Sterling
With James still unavailable, Malo Gusto will continue to deputize at right-back, while Chelsea’s midfield trio of Caicedo, Gallagher, and Fernández will aim to control the center of the pitch. In attack, Nicolas Jackson will lead the line, supported by wingers Mudryk and Sterling, both of whom will be looking to exploit West Ham’s defense.
Key Takeaways Ahead of West Ham vs Chelsea
This match promises to be a fierce contest between two London rivals. West Ham will be eager to bounce back from their recent draw against Fulham and put in a strong performance at home. Chelsea, on the other hand, will be looking to gather momentum after a somewhat inconsistent start to the season.
West Ham’s strength lies in their defensive organization and midfield solidity, while Chelsea will look to use their dynamic wingers and midfield talent to break through West Ham’s backline. The outcome of this match will likely depend on which team can take control of the midfield and capitalize on their chances in front of goal.
Both teams have players capable of making a difference, and with the added intensity of a London derby, this is a fixture not to be missed.
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