"A tough game to call" - Alan Shearer makes prediction for West Ham United vs Chelsea

Football pundit Alan Shearer has predicted a draw between West Ham United and Chelsea in this weekend's Premier League early kick-off fixture. The two sides are scheduled to face off on Saturday, September 21.

The Blues will be hoping to record consecutive victories for the first time this season under new head coach Enzo Maresca. They ground out a hard-fought 1-0 win in their last game against Bournemouth.

However, a trip to the London Stadium to face Julen Lopetegui's Hammers won't be easy, especially as Chelsea were battered last season away from home by West Ham United.

Both teams haven't really had a flying start to the 2024-25 campaign, with Chelsea picking up two wins from their opening four games and West Ham United winning one out of four.

Meanwhile, ahead of the crunch London derby, Shearer anticipates a draw from the game. He made this known during his Premier League prediction for Metro. He predicted:

"A tough game to call on Saturday lunchtime. It is yet another London derby for West Ham and very much like the London derby I spoke about last weekend at Fulham, where I also predicted a draw, I am going to go for another score draw here.

"Chelsea got another win at Bournemouth and had their keeper to thank, and it was great for Nkunku to get off the mark last week."

---

"They have quanity and quality" - Julen Lopetegui reacts to facing Chelsea this weekend

The Hammers will hope to secure maximum points when they welcome London rivals Chelsea to the London Stadium. West Ham United have picked up just one win this season but could find solace from the fact that they have a good recent record against the Blues at home.

The Hammers are undefeated in their last three Premier League games at home to the West Londoners, picking up two wins and one draw.

Meanwhile, ahead of the London derby this weekend, Lopetegui has shown respect to the visitors. He also praised his opposite number Enzo Maresca, who previously was an assistant coach with West Ham United under Manuel Pellegrini.

Lopetegui said (via the club's official):

"In each match in the Premier League there are huge difficulties. Every team has quality, and the ability to beat anyone else. That is why you have to put all your focus on your next match, which in this case is against Chelsea, who are a top team."

He continued:

"They have quality and quantity in their squad. They have a good coach, with good ideas, and they are trying to develop a way to play. We respect them and their abilities, but we have to put our focus on our players and our ideas, too. We believe in ourselves and our strengths, and we will go into the game looking for the right result."