Chelsea Starting XI vs West Ham United: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Chelsea Predicted XI vs West Ham United

Chelsea welcome West Ham United to Stamford Bridge for a London derby that comes wrapped in European afterglow and domestic urgency. Liam Rosenior’s side arrive buoyed by their dramatic 3-2 win in Naples which booked a place in the Champions League last 16, a result that also offered a timely reminder of Cole Palmer’s importance to this evolving team.

The Englishman was named as a substitute in Naples in midweek but came off the bench to assist both of Joao Pedro’s goals as Chelsea tallied an important 3-2 win which saw them progress straight into the Champions League last 16. That cameo was no coincidence. Palmer has endured an injury plagued season so far and was on the bench against Napoli because he had only just recovered from a minor thigh strain which saw him miss matches against Pafos and Crystal Palace.

Back on home soil, Rosenior is expected to restore him to the starting XI. That single decision ripples across the rest of the Chelsea Predicted Lineup, reshaping the midfield and the attacking trio behind Joao Pedro.

Photo: IMAGO

Chelsea squad updates ahead of West Ham United

The injury room remains busy. The London derby will come too early for Tosin Adarabioyo, who was back at Cobham on Friday doing light ball work and running. Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo remain out, while Mykhailo Mudryk is still unavailable.

There is, however, a flicker of longer term optimism. Rosenior has said that Levi Colwill may yet play again this season after resuming running following an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in the summer. For now, though, Chelsea’s defensive options are limited, making selection decisions less about rotation and more about necessity.

Selection dilemmas facing Rosenior

Trevoh Chalobah was named as a substitute against Napoli but could come back into the starting lineup against the team he scored against in a 5-1 rout at the London Stadium back in August. That familiarity, and the fact that Chelsea have Arsenal waiting in the Carabao Cup semi finals next week, could be decisive.

After starting two games in a row, Estevao Willian could be handed a rest against the Hammers, despite being a clear Rosenior favourite. Palmer’s return pushes Enzo Fernandez back into his natural central midfield role alongside Moises Caicedo. Yet even here, there is room for management. One of Fernandez, Caicedo or captain Reece James may be rested following long shifts against Napoli and with Arsenal to come in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi finals on Tuesday.

This is the kind of juggling act that defines the modern Premier League, and Chelsea’s Predicted Lineup reflects both ambition and caution.

Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs West Ham United

Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, Joao Pedro

Injured: Tosin, Essugo, Lavia, ColwillUnavailable: Mudryk

Time and date: 5:30pm GMT on Saturday January 31, 2026Venue: Stamford Bridge, LondonHow to watch: Sky Sports

Chelsea will fancy their chances at home, especially with Palmer back pulling the strings and Joao Pedro brimming with confidence after Naples. West Ham United are never short of grit in these derbies, but if Rosenior gets his selections right, Stamford Bridge could be set for another high tempo, high scoring afternoon, perhaps something along the lines of a 2-1 or 3-1 home win.