West Ham United play host to Chelsea this weekend, and Paul Merson has made a two-goal prediction for the game.
Paul Merson makes his Premier League predictions every week, and he really went in depth for the big London derby between West Ham and Chelsea in two day’s time.
Julen Lopetegui has provided a big injury update ahead of the West Ham vs Chelsea Premier League clash on Saturday, suggesting that Emerson Palmieri faces a late fitness test.
Chelsea have their own injury problems as well, so it remains to be seen which starting lineups the two managers go with.
The Hammers have taken four points from our opening four league games, whilst Chelsea have racked up seven.
The early kick-off at the London Stadium this weekend is hugely important for both sides. Neither team can afford to lose, whilst Chelsea are probably under more pressure to actually win the game.
Chelsea are clearly favourites to win the match, whilst any kind of result for the Hammers will be crucial, and that’s why Paul Merson’s prediction is somewhat of a surprise.
Paul Merson predicts West Ham vs Chelsea
The Hammers actually have a very strong record against Chelsea, having won two and drawn one of our last three games against them at the London Stadium.
We’ve also won four, lost five and drawn one of our last 10 meetings with the Blues – not a bad record against a top side.
But what way does Paul Merson see the game going this weekend?
The world famous pundit made his weekly predictions for Sportskeeda.
Merson said, “I have the same thing to say about Chelsea every week, we just don’t know what we’re going to get with them. They beat Bournemouth 1-0 in the last game, but goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was the man of the match in my opinion. And if you’re Chelsea, that’s actually worrying.“
“This is an important derby for Chelsea, West Ham away is a big game for their supporters. I have a strong feeling this could become a tough game for them. As the season progresses, I fully expect Chelsea to be above West Ham in the Premier League table. But at the moment, there’s not much difference between the two sides. Barring the big win over Wolves, Chelsea have been quite poor for their standards. I still don’t know what Chelsea’s best front-three would look like because there’s just too many players who blow hot and cold.“
“I wont be surprised if Jadon Sancho starts against West Ham though. He played very well against Bournemouth and made the right decisions with the ball at the right times. It’s definitely a good start to life at Chelsea for him, but coming off the bench and making an impact is completely different to doing the same from the beginning of a game. I think this game will end in a draw.“
Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Chelsea
Considering our start to the season, and Chelsea’s sheer volume of quality players, that is quite the prediction from Merson.
West Ham must put Chelsea under pressure
At the end of the day, the Hammers have the players needed to hurt Chelsea.
The likes of Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen all need to be on top form, if we are to have any chance whatsoever of beating the Blues.
West Ham may well have less of the ball than Chelsea on Saturday, but it will be vital not to sit too deep.
The Hammers players have to show the Chelsea boys that they are capable of causing them problems.
If they don’t do that, it will be a blue procession at the London Stadium in my opinion.
Let’s give them something to think about, rather than sitting back and waiting for the inevitable to happen.
That said, I still think a point will be a decent result against Enzo Maresca’s side, and the 1-1 draw prediction from Paul Merson for the West Ham vs Chelsea clash is a bold one as far as I’m concerned.
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