Chelsea are looking for their first win of the new Premier League season when they take on West Ham United tonight.
Enzo Maresca’s side make the short trip across the capital to take on the Hammers who suffered a brutal 3-0 defeat away to newly-promoted Sunderland on the opening weekend.
The Blues got their Premier League campaign up and running at home to Crystal Palace last Sunday, lucky to escape with a draw after Eberechi Eze’s thunderbolt free kick was ruled out.
Chelsea looked flat in front of their home fans, using six attacking players signed for a combined £250million but were unable to pick their way through.
Enzo Maresca was without Tosin Adarabioyo that afternoon after he picked up a knock in training. With Levi Colwill expected to miss most of the season and Jorrel Hato and Wesley Fofana among the substitutes, youngster Josh Acheampong was drafted in to partner Trevoh Chalobah at the back.
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Tosin returned to training this week and is available to start against West Ha.
Maresca has indicated Wesley Fofana will be eased back into action in the coming weeks and played down the defender’s decision to remove all traces of the club from his Instagram account this week.
Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile remain out.
Elsewhere, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens were handed starts last time out with Liam Delap and Estevao Wilian brought on in the second-half. Both subs were guilty of missing big chances against Palace with Maresca already facing some big decisions in attack.
Chelsea XI to face West Ham – Metro prediction
Maresca certainly has options in attack which could be further bolstered with the arrivals of Xavi Simons ands Alejandro Garnacho before the month is out.
Despite his side drawing a blank against Palace, Pedro and Gittens could be given the nod again. With options limited at the back, he could opt for the same starting XI.
West Ham vs Chelsea TV channel and kick-off time
West Ham vs Chelsea kicks off on Friday 22 August with kick-off scheduled for 8pm.
You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.