The London Stadium is set to play host to a mouth-watering London derby as West Ham United welcomes Chelsea to town. Both teams are desperate for their first win after la not impressive opening results: West Ham suffered a 3-0 defeat at Sunderland, while Chelsea drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace.

The Head-to-Head Story

Chelsea have been the dominant force in recent meetings between the two teams, winning 8 of their last 10 encounters. The Blues have been particularly ruthless at the London Stadium, scoring 12 goals in their last 4 visits. West Ham, however, will be buoyed by their home support and will look to cause an upset against their more fancied opponents.

Team News and Tactics

West Ham boss Graham Potter will have to contend with injuries to Michail Antonio and doubts over Crysencio Summerville, which could force some changes to his starting lineup. The Hammers will likely line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Niclas Füllkrug leading the line after his summer move. Chelsea, on the other hand, will be without Mykhaylo Mudryk and Romeo Lavia, but Wesley Fofana's return to the lineup will provide a boost. Enzo Maresca's side will likely adopt a 4-2-3-1 shape, with Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto looking to exploit West Ham's defense.

Betting Options

There are several intriguing betting options for this match. Chelsea to win is a strong option, given their recent dominance over West Ham. The Blues have a 48% win probability, according to Opta, and are priced at -110 with Bet365. Another option is both teams to score, which has been a trend in recent head-to-heads. Cole Palmer to score anytime is also a good option, given his impressive form last season. 

Prediction

Chelsea's superior quality and recent form make them the favorites to win this match. However, West Ham's home support and counter-attacking threat could make it a difficult afternoon for the Blues. A score prediction of West Ham 1-2 Chelsea is a possibility, with Palmer and Neto potentially exploiting West Ham's high line. Alternatively, a 1-1 draw is also plausible, given the early-season caution and West Ham's solid home form.

The Key Battle

The battle between Jarrod Bowen and Marc Cucurella will be crucial in this match. Bowen's direct running and goal-scoring threat will test Cucurella's defensive positioning. If Bowen wins duels, West Ham create chances; if Cucurella holds, Chelsea control the left flank.

In Conclusion

This London derby promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams looking to make a statement. Chelsea's form and quality make them the favorites, but West Ham's home support and counter-attacking threat could make it a difficult afternoon for the Blues. With several intriguing betting options and a crucial battle between Bowen and Cucurella, this match has all the ingredients of a classic London thriller. This match is not to be missed, with both teams looking to make a statement in the early stages of the Premier League season. Will Chelsea's quality prove too much for West Ham, or will the Hammers cause an upset? Tune in to find out!