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Football Park's Best Bets | West Ham vs Chelsea Bet Builder

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West Ham v Chelsea - Overview

It's back-to-back London derbies to start the season for Chelsea after the Blues played out a tame scoreless draw at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday. Meanwhile, former Blues boss Graham Potter is already emerging as an early candidate in the dreaded "sack race" after his Hammers team were gunned down by newly promoted Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.

A return to the London Stadium might not offer much comfort either, with the Hammers winning just one of their last eight Premier League home matches (D3, L4). To make matters trickier, Potter now faces his former club.

The winner! 😍#CFC | #CHEWHU pic.twitter.com/ds44V6cMH4
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 4, 2025

Chelsea begin their campaign with four straight London derbies, a potential advantage given they’ve won more such fixtures (130) than any other club in Premier League history. Still, what won’t please the Blues is the away trip, as they managed just two wins from their last 11 league games on the road last season (D3, L6), despite lifting the Club World Cup in the summer.

Chelsea may have won the last three meetings, but trips to East London haven’t been kind to them, with just three wins from their last 11 visits to West Ham (D2, L6). Facing Graham Potter could boost their chances, though, the Hammers boss has never managed a victory against Chelsea in seven attempts (D4, L3).

Ahead of the live Friday night football from the London Stadium, we've put together the following bet builder for you to consider.

1. Match Result - Chelsea @1.67 (William Hill)

While Chelsea had the benefit of preparing for the new season by playing in and winning the FCWC, the lack of a break between beating PSG in the final and their league opener against an in-form Palace side was always likely to be tricky. The likes of Joao Pedro, Gittens and Liam Delap are still finding their feet and it may take some time for things to fully click as a result.

West Ham have lost Mohamed Kudus, who bagged a brace of assists on his Spurs debut last week, with an even bigger strain now being placed on the shoulders of Jarrod Bowen as a result.

Will Graham Potter last the season??? pic.twitter.com/afW0v4nHlX
— The Extreme Football Enthusiast (@ExtremeFootbal4) August 20, 2025

The Irons ended last season with just two wins from their final 11 games and there is a fear that hangover may have carried into this campaign. Expect Chelsea's far greater squad depth to carry them over the line here.

2. Chelsea to score first - @ 1.55 (William Hill)

West Ham have shipped the opening goal in four of their last five Premier League home games. Even should the Irons manage to hold off the Blues in the first-half, Chelsea have scored 11 of their last 13 Premier League goals after the break.

Every London street tells a story.

Tomorrow, a new chapter begins. pic.twitter.com/gZhfPwc0nR
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 20, 2025

Chelsea fired in 19 shots without finding the net on MD1 in their 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace. They’ll be keen to avoid an unwanted repeat of history, as the Blues haven’t started a league campaign with back-to-back blanks since 1995/96, when they opened with two goalless draws.

3. Lucas Paqueta to commit over 1.5 fouls @ 1.2 (William Hill)

Backing Lucas Paquetá to commit over 1.5 fouls looks a solid angle. The Brazilian is at the heart of West Ham’s midfield and often tasked with breaking up play, which naturally leads to a high foul count. He has committed more fouls and received more bookings than any other Hammers player in the Premier League since joining the club.

🚨⚠️ Lucas Paquetá, considering to explore options to leave West Ham this summer.

After difficult 18 months on personal level and now free from all accusations, Paquetá considers fresh challenge as a possibility.

No final decision made yet but reviewing options for his future. pic.twitter.com/MulyblbUQf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 15, 2025

Add in the fact Chelsea dominate possession under Enzo Maresca, meaning West Ham will likely spend long spells chasing the ball, and Paquetá could find himself making tactical fouls to disrupt counter-attacks. With plenty of individual battles expected in midfield, the over 1.5 fouls line looks very achievable.