Chelsea and West Ham United are set to clash in a crucial Premier League London derby at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The match, scheduled for a 5:30 PM GMT kick-off, holds significance for both teams, albeit for different reasons. Chelsea is aiming to solidify its position in the top four, while West Ham is fighting to escape the relegation zone.
Chelsea's recent form under manager Liam Rosenior has been impressive. The team has won five of their last six matches, with their only defeat coming against league leaders Arsenal. This positive run includes a come-from-behind 3-2 victory against Napoli in the UEFA Champions League, securing their place in the last 16. In the Premier League, Chelsea has also secured successive victories against fellow London clubs Brentford and Crystal Palace.
However, Chelsea's home form has been somewhat inconsistent, with less than half of their total points earned at Stamford Bridge. They have also dropped points in some home games where they scored first.
One of the key talking points surrounding Chelsea is the potential involvement of Cole Palmer. Palmer has been limited to 14 appearances this season due to injuries, but Rosenior has confirmed that he is available to start. His return could provide a significant boost to Chelsea's attack, although the team has shown attacking prowess even in his absence, with players like Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo stepping up.
West Ham, managed by Nuno Espírito Santo, is battling to avoid relegation. They are currently five points from safety despite recent victories against Tottenham and Sunderland. West Ham's form on the road has been a concern, but their recent win against Tottenham ended an eight-match winless away run.
Historically, Chelsea has dominated this fixture, particularly at Stamford Bridge. They have won the last four league meetings, with an aggregate score of 15-2, and have lost only one of their last 19 Premier League games against West Ham at home.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK across Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Streaming options are available for Sky Sports subscribers via the Sky Go app, and for non-subscribers through NOW. Radio coverage will be provided by BBC Radio 5 Live.
Bookmakers favor Chelsea to win the match.
