After weeks of anticipation, the new Premier League season finally kicked off this weekend, bringing with it the usual mix of drama and shocks.
The likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool all won their opening fixtures, while champions Leicester City crashed to a surprising defeat at crisis club Hull City. However all eyes will be on Stamford Bridge tonight, as Antonio Conte takes charge of his first league game at Chelsea against London rivals West Ham United.
The Blues endured a miserable campaign last term, finishing 10th on 50 points after losing nine of their opening 16 Premier League games, but the Italian will look to change that. Conte has already made two big signings in Michy Batshuayi and N’Golo Kante, aiming to make a solid start to his reign.
It’s not an easy start though, with West Ham looking to build on their impressive seventh place finish last season under Slaven Bilic. The east Londoners have made a number of new signings, including Andre Ayew, Sofiane Feghouli, Gokhan Tore and Ashley Fletcher, while also retaining the services of key man Dimitri Payet.
Conte has opted for what appears to be a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Kante sitting just in front of the back four. Elsewhere the trio of Oscar, Willian and Eden Hazard will support Diego Costa up top, while John Terry keeps his place in the heart of Chelsea’s defence.
Chelsea XI vs. West Ham: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, John Terry, Azpilacueta; Kante; Willian, Matic, Oscar, Hazard; Costa.
Meanwhile Bilic has selected three of his new signings in West Ham’s starting XI, with Arthur Masuaku, Havard Nordtveit and Ayew making the cut. Michail Antonio continues at right-back, while Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate feature in midfield, with Andy Carroll starting up top following an excellent pre-season.
West Ham XI vs. Chelsea: Adrian; Antonio, Reid, Collins, Masuaku; Nordtveit; Ayew, Noble, Kouyate, Valenica; Carroll.
