Preview: Chelsea Women vs West Ham United | Key Stats & Predictions | WSL Week 18
We look ahead to Sunday's WSL clash at Kingsmeadow with our Chelsea vs West Ham United prediction & preview. Can the league leaders maintain their unbeaten run against struggling travellers West Ham?
📅 Date: Sunday, 30th March 2025
⏰ Kick-off: 16:30 GMT
📍 Venue: Kingsmeadow Stadium
📺 How to Watch: Sky Sports
🔍 Match Context & Overview
Chelsea host West Ham at Kingsmeadow with both teams experiencing contrasting emotions. The Blues are riding high after their impressive 3-0 Champions League quarter-final second leg victory over Manchester City, completing an intense 12-day period where they faced City four times, emerging victorious on three occasions. Meanwhile, West Ham arrive with a recent boost following their 2-0 home win against Tottenham, though their away form remains a significant concern.
West Ham currently occupy eighth place—29 points behind Chelsea—but come into this fixture having won two of their last five matches. Despite their inconsistent form, they'll be looking to build on their recent home success, though their away record suggests a monumental challenge awaits at Kingsmeadow.
🔵 Chelsea's Title March
Currently top of the WSL, Chelsea's home form has been perfect with eight wins from eight matches. Their attacking prowess is evident in creating a league-leading 33.06 shot-creating actions per game while scoring 47 goals in 17 matches (2.76 per game).
Sonia Bompastor's side must manage potential fatigue following their intense Champions League campaign and multiple fixtures against Manchester City. However, their domestic form has been exceptional, with only two draws blemishing an otherwise perfect record of 15 wins.
Defensively, Chelsea have been the league's standout team, conceding just 11 goals all season. Their disciplined backline has contributed to 9 clean sheets from 17 matches, making them one of the toughest team to break down in the league.
⚒️ West Ham's Away Struggles
The Hammers have shown respectable form at home (5W, 2D, 2L) but their away record paints a stark contrast. With just one point from eight matches on the road (0W, 1D, 7L), they face their sternest test yet at a venue where Chelsea have been flawless.
West Ham's defensive vulnerabilities have been apparent away from home, conceding 19 goals in 8 away games. However, their recent 2-0 win against Tottenham demonstrates they can produce quality performances when at their best.
West Ham will need to draw confidence from that victory, though history offers little comfort—Chelsea have won all 10 of their previous WSL meetings, scoring 31 goals while conceding just 4.
🔥 Key Battle Areas
Chelsea's attack vs West Ham's defence will be crucial. The Blues average 19.35 shots per match, while West Ham have conceded 31 goals in 17 games. The visitors' recent defensive improvements cannot be ignored, but Chelsea's firepower presents a formidable challenge.
Key Stats:
Chelsea: 47 points from 17 matches (15W, 2D, 0L)
West Ham: 18 points from 17 matches (5W, 3D, 9L)
Chelsea home goals: 19 scored, 6 conceded in 8 matches
West Ham away goals: 8 scored, 19 conceded in 8 matches
🏆 Head-to-Head (Last 10 WSL Meetings)
Chelsea's historical dominance is overwhelming:
Chelsea wins: 10
Draws: 0
West Ham wins: 0
The goal statistics are particularly telling:
Chelsea have scored 31 goals against West Ham
West Ham have managed just 4 goals against Chelsea
In their 10 wins, Chelsea have kept 7 clean sheets
Most recent meeting: Chelsea won 5-0 away (January 2025)
🔎 Players to Watch
Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea)
The attacking left-back has 4 goals and 1 assist this season and will be crucial to Chelsea's offensive strategy. Her overlapping runs and crossing ability could create significant problems for West Ham's right flank.
Agnes Beever-Jones (Chelsea)
Joint top-scorer with Reiten on 7 goals, her movement and clinical finishing will be vital to breaking down West Ham's defensive structure. Her partnership with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (who has assisted her twice) makes them a dangerous combination.
Viviane Asseyi (West Ham)
West Ham's top scorer with 6 goals and 5 assists has been directly involved in nearly half of her team's goals. Her counter-attacking threat and set-piece delivery could be key to West Ham's chances of causing an upset.
📌 Prediction
Based on historical data, current form, and statistical analysis:
Chelsea win: 78%
West Ham win: 8%
Draw: 14%
Key Factors:
Chelsea's perfect home record
West Ham's poor away form (1 point from 8 matches)
Chelsea's defensive solidity (league-best 11 goals conceded)
West Ham's away defensive vulnerabilities (19 goals conceded)
Chelsea's Champions League momentum
Head-to-head history heavily favoring Chelsea
📢 Have Your Say!
Can Chelsea maintain their unbeaten league record? Will West Ham's away form finally improve? Which players will prove decisive in this crucial WSL clash? Drop your predictions in the comments!