West Ham vs Chelsea Prediction: Jackson to haunt the Hammers again

West Ham United welcome Chelsea to the London Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday (12:30, TNT Sports 1), with the Hammers looking to secure their second win of the season. They salvaged a late equaliser at Fulham last weekend and they will look to build on that.

Chelsea left it late to beat Bournemouth last weekend thanks to Christopher Nkunku, and now the Blues are unbeaten in their last three league matches. Read on for my West Ham vs Chelsea prediction, featuring match odds and team news.

West Ham vs Chelsea Odds

West Ham are 11/5 to take the three points, giving them an implied probability of 31.3%. Chelsea are valued at 21/20, or a 48.8% chance, to win this contest. You can back the draw at 13/5 (27.8%).

Both teams to score is on offer at 4/9, and this market has been a winning selection in four of the last six meetings between these sides in the Premier League. Over 2.5 goals is marketed at 1/2.

Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has three league goals this term, with all three coming against Wolverhampton Wanderers last month. He is 21/10 to score anytime on Saturday.

Football Odds

Team News 

West Ham defender Emerson Palmieri was substituted against Fulham last week after picking up an injury, and he will need to be assessed ahead of Saturday. With Aaron Creswell also out of action for the foreseeable, Julen Lopetegui could need a makeshift left-back to face the Blues.

The Hammers will be hoping striker Niclas Fullkrug will be able to return from a knock he picked up on international duty with Germany.

For Chelsea, Jadon Sancho gave a good account of himself on his debut at Bournemouth. He came on for Pedro Neto in the second half and the Manchester United loanee teed up the match-winner Nkunku. Enzo Maresca could start him in east London in place of the Portuguese winger this weekend.

Reece James remains injured and unavailable for selection, while Omari Kellyman and Filip Jorgensen are also in the treatment room. However, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Enzo Fernandez, Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia have all returned to training and all could be in contention to make the matchday squad on Saturday. It would certainly give Chelsea's bench options a boost.

Nicolas Jackson anytime goalscorer @ 7/4

Chelsea have a fair few options who can play up front now. Nkunku is one of them and Joao Felix is another. Right now, I can't see either of them getting ahead of Nicolas Jackson.

The Senegalese striker had been ridiculed at times last year because he had squandered some good chances, but no one can dispute that there were glimpses that there was a talent there and that once he settled we'd see it.

So far, I have been very impressed by him in the Premier League. He has two goals and one assist in four appearances, but there are more to his performances than that. One thing I think is excellent with his game is his movement.

He caused the Cherries a few problems last week because of his runs but unfortunately he was either fractionally offside or the ball into him was overhit. Then there is the fact that he can be tidy on the ball, linking up well with his attacking colleagues.

Although, it's his goalscoring capabilities I'm interested in this weekend and I believe he can get on the scoresheet. He scored twice against West Ham last season at Stamford Bridge but I can see him haunt the Hammers in their own backyard. 

Wesley Fofana to receive a card @ 13/8

Centre-back Wesley Fofana is currently favoured by Maresca, and it makes sense given the £70m the club splashed on him from Leicester City two years ago. Injuries have halted his development in west London but now he's available, he has the faith of his manager.

One thing I have noticed with the Frenchman over the first few weeks of the season is that he cannot help but get drawn into committing fouls. Fofana has been penalised eight times already in the first four matches, so he is averaging two per game.

As such, he has been booked twice, and I think he's worth backing to go into the book on Saturday. He will be facing some strong attacking players in the likes of Michail Antonio, Fullkrug, Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen. Discipline is still an aspect of his game that needs plenty of work but it won't be an overnight fix.

West Ham like to break fast and counter quickly, so I think there could be a few moments Fofana will be left exposed and he will be drawn into making some tactical fouls.

Offers

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