Nicolas Jackson continues to divide opinions among Chelsea supporters, however, from a betting perspective, the Senegalese international is a reliable performer and the 23-year-old is taken to deliver another shot on target against West Ham.

Jackson has been averaging a consistent 1.79 shots on target per 90 minutes for the Blues this term and he managed to crack four attempts on target when Chelsea blitzed West Ham 5-0 in the London rivals’ last encounter in May. His pace could trouble the Irons’ rearguard again on Saturday.

New head coach Julen Lopetegui has been pushing his players to perform with more aggression this season and West Ham have already climbed to the summit of the Premier League for average fouls committed per 90 (15.80) under their fresh instructions.

Mexican destroyer Edson Alvarez needs little invitation to stick his boot in however, and the former Ajax star has been averaging a bone-bruising 3.16 fouls per 90 minutes for the Irons this term. A derby day skirmish with Chelsea should bring more robust challenges out of Alvarez, so back the 26-year-old to foul at least twice again.

Cole Palmer is likely to be one of several Chelsea players in Alvarez’s crosshairs at the London Stadium. Revelling in a more central role this season, Palmer has been as influential as ever, though his ability to win matches continues to him a target for rough treatment.

The 22-year-old has been fouled 1.54 times per 90 minutes in the Premier League since the summer and Palmer was kicked four times in one sitting by Bournemouth’s players last weekend.

The England international starlet will be chased by cynical West Ham duo Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez on Saturday, and backing Palmer to be fouled at least once again should be a safe wager.

Chelsea escaped the Vitality Stadium unscathed and with three points last weekend when they eked out a 1-0 win at Bournemouth, despite conceding 18 shots and an xGA of 1.70 against the Cherries.

They had Spanish keeper Robert Sanchez to thank for their victory and clean sheet on the south coast after the 26-year-old made a string of six saves to deny Bournemouth, including one crucial acrobatic parry to keep out an Evanilson penalty kick.

Sanchez, who made three saves in last season’s corresponding fixture between West Ham and Chelsea at the London Stadium, is likely to be called into action at the same venue again on Saturday and backing the keeper to top a modest two saves is the angle of approach.

Jarrod Bowen averaged a sizable 2.50 shots on target per 90 for West Ham in last season’s Premier League and while the winger has fallen short of those standards in 2024/25 so far (0.80), he has shown signs that he is starting to scratch at some good form for the Irons.

Bowen managed to register six shots on target across his last four appearances for West Ham in the league and Carabao Cup and the 27-year-old needs to test Chelsea keeper Sanchez just once on Saturday for this leg to land.

Bowen had two attempts on target when West Ham last hosted Chelsea at the London Stadium in August last year and racked up four efforts against the same opponents at Stamford Bridge in May, two of which came back off the woodwork. Back Bowen to be a nuisance against the Blues again here.

Cole Palmer claimed a stunning 33 goal contributions for Chelsea last season and was catapulted to superstardom as a result and his early efforts in 2024/25 suggest another prolific campaign is in the pipeline for the 22-year-old.

Last term, Palmer’s haul was split between 22 goals and 11 assists, though there has been a reverse of that trend so far this season, with the attacking midfielder hitting the net once and creating four goals for his teammates.

Whether he is the provider or the finisher of chances, Palmer’s ability to produce key match-changing moments for Chelsea remains unparalleled and he could enhance his record of 38 goal involvements in 37 Premier League matches for the Blues this weekend.

Emerson Palmieri is a slight injury doubt ahead of a possible reunion with his former employers on Saturday, though the West Ham fullback should have top credentials in the fouls market if he makes the cut.

The Italian has been averaging a modest 1.18 fouls per 90 minutes this season, which is similar to the modest 0.88 figure he posted last term in the same bracket, however, the 30-year-old played with extra zeal in his appearances against ex-club Chelsea in 2023/24, committing two and three fouls respectively in a couple of derby outings.

If Emerson fails to prove his fitness, then Aaron Wan-Bissaka – who would be likely to switch sides to provide cover as an uncomfortable left back – should offer a good alternative in the same market.

Bustling Spanish fullback Marc Cucurella is an energetic presence on the left for Chelsea and his harrying, frenetic style of play has put him at the heart of numerous ground duels and individual skirmishes this season.

The 26-year-old has been committing 1.32 fouls per 90 minutes this term, though he has been drawing even more mistimed challenges himself (2.37 p/90) and no Chelsea player has been fouled more often than the defender so far (9).

On Saturday, Cucurella will go head-to-head with West Ham’s right winger Mohamed Kudus, who has been fouling at a rate of 1.50 times per 90 for the Irons, so back Chelsea’s left back to absorb at least one meaty challenge at the London Stadium.