Chelsea welcomes West Ham United to Stamford Bridge for a Premier League London derby this Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 5:30 PM UTC. Both teams are in dire need of a victory, albeit for different reasons, setting the stage for a potentially exciting encounter.

Chelsea's Perspective

Chelsea currently sits 5th in the Premier League standings and is aiming to climb into the top four. Under the guidance of manager Liam Rosenior, the Blues have shown signs of resurgence, securing five wins in their last six games. This includes an impressive 3-2 victory against Napoli in the UEFA Champions League, securing their place in the last 16. Recent Premier League wins against Brentford (2-0) and Crystal Palace (3-1) have instilled renewed confidence within the team. Rosenior's impact has been significant, with Chelsea scoring 16 goals and conceding six in their six matches under his leadership. Cole Palmer is fit to start, which is a major boost for the team. He played 45 minutes in midweek after coming on at half-time to star in their second-half comeback to beat Napoli 3-2, and Liam Rosenior has confirmed the England international is ready for a place in his starting line-up against West Ham.

West Ham's Ambitions

West Ham United, currently in 18th place and struggling in the relegation zone, are fighting for survival. Recent back-to-back league victories, including a 3-1 win over Sunderland and a derby win against Tottenham, have injected new hope into their campaign. Nuno Espirito Santo's arrival seems to have revitalized the team, and they're looking to continue their momentum against Chelsea. Nuno believes he can get the best out of Adama Traore, and that the “unique” winger can boost West Ham's bid to beat the drop.

Team News and Predicted Lineups

• Chelsea: Cole Palmer is expected to start after making a significant impact off the bench against Napoli. However, several players remain unavailable due to injury, including Tosin Adarabioyo, Roméo Lavia, and Dário Essugo. Mykhailo Mudryk is suspended. Levi Colwill may potentially return later in the season.

  • Predicted Chelsea XI: Robert Sanchez; Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Josh Acheampong, Jorrel Hato; Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo; Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Jamie Gittens; Liam Delap.

  • West Ham: Adama Traore could potentially make his debut for the Hammers.

  • Predicted West Ham XI: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Todibo, Diouf; Souček, Fernandes, Pablo; Bowen, Summerville, Castellanos.

Key Match Dynamics

Chelsea has dominated recent encounters, winning the last four league meetings with an aggregate score of 15-2. The Blues also secured a 5-1 victory at the London Stadium in August. Chelsea is likely to control possession and dictate the flow of the game, targeting spaces in West Ham's defense. West Ham's best chance lies in withstanding the initial pressure and exploiting Chelsea's high full-backs on the counter-attack.

Match Significance

For Chelsea, a win would solidify their position in the top four and close the gap on third-placed Aston Villa. It would also mark their third consecutive Premier League victory. For West Ham, a win would be crucial in their fight against relegation, providing a significant boost to their survival hopes.

This London derby promises to be a captivating contest with both teams having everything to play for.