West Ham vs Chelsea, both teams will be eager to get their first wins of the 2023/24 season when they clash at the London Stadium on Sunday.

Match Details:

• Location: London, England
• Stadium: London Stadium
• Date: Sunday 20 August
• Kick-off Time: 16:30 BST / 11:30 ET / 08:30 PT
• Referee: John Brooks
• VAR: Paul Tierney

West Ham vs Chelsea: Match Preview:

West Ham United will play in Europe for a third successive season. But David Moyes will be wary of avoiding another Premier League campaign like his team endured last term. Those travails nearly cost him his job, and the Hammers have started the new campaign with a 1-1 stalemate against Bournemouth. Meanwhile, they remain busy in the transfer market, looking to plug the holes in the squad.

Tomorrow it's matchday! 😁 pic.twitter.com/29Fh08SqKb

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 19, 2023

Speaking of being busy in the market, no club can be a better exponent of the thought process than Chelsea. The Blues have signed a ton of players for a third successive transfer window under the Todd Boehly regime. But they have also made some clever signings, including Romeo Lavia.  And Mauricio Pochettino's men began their campaign with a 1-1 draw versus Liverpool last week.

The corresponding fixture last season saw West Ham coming from a goal down to hold Chelsea to a 1-1 draw, with former Blues full-back Emerson Palmieri scoring the equaliser.

Team News:

West Ham:

A lot of the focus in this match is likely to be on the midfield, with West Ham fans on the lookout for James Ward Prowse's debut. His move from Southampton has gone through and there is a very real chance that David Moyes will use him straight away.

It is very unlikely that Edson Alvarez is going to play though, as he is still trying to get up to the fitness level needed after he stopped training with Ajax ahead of the move. Moyes is expected to keep Alphonse Areola in goal.

Chelsea:

There are a fair few injuries for Mauricio Pochettino to contend with early in his Chelsea career. He is going to be without Reece James, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Christopher Nkunku and Trevoh Chalobah for at least this match.

Introducing a new Blue! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/vdHynMOMti

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 18, 2023

The good news is that Pochettino should be able to use a defensive midfielder in this one, as Caicedo will be eligible to start the game after his record move from Brighton. Chelsea looked very open against Liverpool, so Pochettino may well bring him straight in.

Romeo Lavia has now joined the club as well, but is not expected to come straight into the starting eleven.

West Ham vs Chelsea: Head to Head

Chelsea have a good historical record against West Ham United and have won 54 out of the 120 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to West Ham United's 43 victories.

West Ham United have alternated between winning and failing to win in their last eight Premier League home games against Chelsea and held the Blues to a 1-1 draw in this fixture last season.

Chelsea have won 149 London Derby matches in the Premier League so far and could become only the second team after Arsenal to win 150 such games in the competition.

West Ham United ended their 2022-23 Premier League campaign with consecutive home victories and won home games against Manchester United and Leeds United in May this year.

Chelsea have won only five of their last 30 Premier League games – their lowest tally of victories across such a span since 1988.

Predicted Line-ups:

West Ham predicted lineup (4-3-3): Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson; Paqueta, Ward-Prowse, Soucek; Benrahma, Antonio, Bowen

Chelsea predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Sanchez; Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez, Chilwell; Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson

WHU vs CHE: Fantasy XI

Sanchez; Disasi, Silva, Zouma, Paqueta, Ward-Prowse, Caicedo, Fernandez, Bowen, Sterling; Jackson.

Set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025, the restructured global club football competition will bring together 32 teams from across the world to vie for the title of world champions.

The draw, held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Miami, showcased an impressive lineup of continental and domestic champions from every corner of the globe.

Among the standout contenders are Spain's Real Madrid, the UEFA Champions League winners, Brazil's Botafogo, the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champions, and Egypt's Al Ahly, who are consecutive CAF Champions League winners.

New Format

Traditionally featuring six to eight teams, the FIFA Club World Cup will now adopt a new format, hosting the largest number of participants in its history. Teams earned qualification by winning their respective continental club tournaments, such as the UEFA Champions League, and based on the confederations' four-year rankings.

South America (CONMEBOL) includes six teams, whereas Europe (whose confederation is UEFA) has twelve, making up the largest representation of the 32 teams.

There are four teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), Africa (AFC), and Asia (AFC).

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami was given a spot, as the domestic champions of the host country, Oceania (OFC) got one spot as well. The top two from each of the 8 groups will advance to the knockout stages after a round-robin group stage.

The final will take place at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on 13 July.

Read Also | Substitutions that changed the football history

FIFA Club World Cup Groups

When is the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025, in the United States of America.

How many teams will take part in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025?

A total of 32 teams from 6 continents will take part in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

The Premier League has traditionally served as a platform for global talent, with players from all over the world displaying their abilities in one of the most competitive football leagues. Few international players have achieved remarkable heights making a lasting impression with their goal-scoring skills.

1. Sergio Aguero-184 goals

Many people consider Argentine forward Sergio Aguero among Premier League history's best strikers. Aguero, who played for Manchester City from 2011 to 2021, changed the course of history with his precision finishing and ability to score goals at pivotal times. He has the best goals-to-games ratio of any player with more than 150 Premier League goals, scoring an incredible 184 goals in 275 games.

Aguero's most memorable moment came in 2012 when he dramatically won Manchester City's first Premier League title with an injury-time goal against QPR. He became a legend for City and the league at large due to his reliability and ability to perform well in crucial games.

Read Also | The Premier League’s Rising Stars in 2024

2. Thierry Henry- 175 goals

Thierry Henry, a French maestro, is known for his grace and skill in front of goal. Over two stints with the North London club, the Arsenal star scored 175 goals in 258 Premier League games. Henry won the Premier League Golden Boot four times, more than any other player in Premier League history, and was renowned for his incredible speed, skill, and ability to score spectacular goals on his own.

He scored 30 league goals and guided Arsenal to the championship during the undefeated "Invincibles" season of 2003–04, which was his most productive performance. Henry established the standard for what it meant to be a complete forward, his legacy endures even after retiring from football.

Read Also | Breaking Down the Most Iconic Football Facts and Moments of All Time

3. Mohammed Salah- 170 goals

Since joining Liverpool in 2017, Mohamed Salah has become one of the Premier League's most prolific goal-scorers. With more than 150 goals to his name, the Egyptian forward has consolidated his status as one of the greatest of all time. Salah made an explosive start, scoring 32 goals in the 2017-18 season, setting the record for the most goals in a 38-game campaign before Erling Haaland broke it again with 36 goals. 

Known for his blistering speed, sharp finishing, and relentless work ethic, Salah has been instrumental in Liverpool's recent successes, including their 2019-20 Premier League title. He may break more records as he continues to find the back of the net with remarkable consistency this season.

 4. Robin Van Persie- 144 goals

Robin Van Persie, who scored 144 goals in 280 Premier League games, is renowned for his exquisite finishing and outstanding technique. He won the Premier League Golden Boot twice (2011–12, 2012–13) he played for Manchester United from 2012–2015 and Arsenal from 2004–2012.

His best season was 2012–13 when he scored 26 goals and helped United win their 20th EPL title. Van Persie was one of the most feared strikers in the league because of his versatility, and ability to score from a variety of positions.

 5. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink- 127 goals

The Dutchman combined physicality and powerful shots to create a formidable presence in front of goal. Between 1997 and 2007, he made 288 Premier League appearances, scoring 127 goals while playing for Leeds United, Chelsea, Middlesbrough, and Charlton Athletic.

With two Golden Boot victories (1998–99 and 2000–01), he rose to fame for his long-range shots and clinical finishing. He is still regarded as one of the best strikers to play in a Chelsea jersey.

Hello and welcome to another Premier League LIVE coverage brought to you by Sportz Point. Tonight, we will be covering the epic encounter between Arsenal and Manchester United at the iconic Emirates Stadium in London. 

What to expect?

Manchester United somehow have reignited themselves under their new charismatic coach Ruben Amorim while Arsenal looking to catch Liverpool at the top of the table to stay in the title race. As both teams have plenty to win and even more to lose, this Arsenal vs Manchester United match becomes more interesting for the fans and viewers.

Read Also | Arsenal vs Manchester United: Match Preview, Head-to-Head Stats, Predictions, Possible Lineups

So, sit back and relax as we bring you all the build-up, updates, news and scores of the match. Enjoy the coverage.

Arsenal vs. Manchester United has been a feature of the Premier League schedule from the ferocious matches of the Arsène Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson era to current matchups involving up-and-coming talents. This rivalry is more than just a game; it's a display of pride, football history, and the ongoing struggle for dominance between two of the best teams in England.

Match Details

Match: Arsenal vs Manchester United

Date: 04/12/2024

Time: 1:30 am (IST)

Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England.

Match Preview:

Struggles have marked Manchester United's season, but the arrival of new manager Ruben Amorim has sparked a remarkable turnaround. The team is yet to lose under his leadership, with many attributing this resurgence to the "new manager bounce" phenomenon, where players step up to prove their worth. However, there is a noticeable improvement in United's attacking play beyond this initial lift. Amorim's high-intensity pressing and reliance on hardworking full-backs have added a new dimension to their game. Critics argue that the teams he has faced so far are not the strongest, making Arsenal his first real test.

💬 "They are in a different moment."

Ruben looks ahead to Arsenal on Wednesday 👁️#MUFC || #PL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 3, 2024

For Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, this fixture holds special significance. In 2020, he masterminded a historic victory at Old Trafford, breaking a 14-year winless streak on United's turf, courtesy of a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang penalty. Despite Arsenal's progress under Arteta, Manchester United remains a formidable challenge.

This season, Arsenal has shown marked improvement, thanks to smart recruitment that has made the team more fluid in transitions and versatile in positional play. The ability to invert both flanks has added unpredictability to their build-up, making them a more cohesive and dangerous side.

Amorim faces a tactical dilemma heading into this match. Should he stick to his system, knowing Arsenal dismantled a Sporting Lisbon side built on his principles, or tweak his approach to counter Arteta's strengths? Balancing his philosophy with United's gradual adaptation to his style will be critical.

⏪ Last time out against Manchester United in the Premier League...

A winner from the birthday boy! 🎂 pic.twitter.com/TLJEbWW11S

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 4, 2024

On paper, Arsenal appears the favourite, barring any late injuries that have frequently disrupted their season. However, if Amorim can exploit counterattacking opportunities and disrupt Arsenal's rhythm by limiting their time on the ball, United could pose significant problems.

For football enthusiasts, this midweek clash promises to be a perfect way to unwind and enjoy two contrasting styles of play from two historic clubs.

Head-to-Head Stats:

In the last 5 matches Arsenal has gotten the better of Manchester United 3 times with the last being a 1-0 win at the Old Trafford earlier in April this year, while the latter have won the other 2 leaving no room for a draw. however, the sides will face each other 3 times this season with the first one happening today. Below is the head-to-head record since 1995.

Total matches: 70

Arsenal: 23

Manchester United: 31

Draws: 16

Team News

Arsenal

While Arsenal has shown resilience in recent weeks, key players remain on the sidelines. Takehiro Tomiyasu has been absent since October 5th, following a 3-1 victory over Southampton, and Ben White is still recovering after undergoing knee surgery.

Midfield stalwart Thomas Partey, one of Arsenal's most consistent performers this season, missed the recent game against West Ham due to a recurring muscle issue. Although he seemed to have overcome this problem earlier in the season, concerns remain about his long-term fitness. The club is optimistic, however, that his absence will not be prolonged.

Additionally, both Mikel Merino and Gabriel Magalhães have been managing fitness struggles. Gabriel, in particular, has been restricted to just 45 minutes in Arsenal's last two matches. The Brazilian defender first showed signs of discomfort during the Liverpool game, where he was substituted early in the second half.

On a brighter note, Kieran Tierney's return offers a welcome boost. After a summer transfer attempt failed, he has been reintegrated into the squad and is back to full fitness. His availability comes at a critical time, with fixtures piling up and Arsenal needing all hands on deck.

Manchester United

Amorim faces a selection headache with the suspension of English midfielders Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez, both sidelined after picking up five yellow cards. These players have been instrumental in implementing the manager's playing philosophy since his arrival. Additionally, the availability of Leny Yoro, Johnny Evans, and Victor Lindelof remains uncertain, further complicating the situation.

Read Also | Ruben Amorin to Man United: What will happen to Erik's Ajax boys at United?

Key Players to Watch

Bukayo Saka

Throughout the 2024–2025 campaign, Bukayo Saka has consolidated his place among Arsenal's and England's top players with 10 assists and 5 goals in 12 matches. His on-field leadership, creativity, and consistency have all been combined to create truly outstanding performances.

Saka's offensive contribution continues to be an essential part of Arsenal's success. With numerous goals and assists, he has played a key role in breaking down defences, particularly in close games when his ability to float past opponents and produce accurate crosses or finishes has been crucial.

Another significant strength has been his adaptability; Saka has fit in well whether used on the right flank, in a more central position, or even sliding deeper to influence build-up play.

What sets this season apart is the increased maturity in his game. Saka has taken on greater responsibility, often stepping up in crucial moments, and with his ability to maintain composure under pressure, he will definitely pose a significant threat to the United Defence.

Read Also | The most shocking goal misses in Football history

Amad Diallo

Under Ruben Amorim, Diallo secured his position as a vital player by putting on strong performances weekly after being overlooked in prior seasons with his involvement coming only as a squad rotation player.

United's attacking dynamics have greatly benefited from Diallo's rise and creative ability. He has shown remarkable dribbling skills, quick feet, and an eye for goal while playing mainly as a winger. Defences have struggled to keep up with his cutting inside from wide areas and unleashing strong shots or threading clever passes.

He will be an effective tactical weapon heading into this game for United

Possible Lineups

Arsenal: David Raya (GK), Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Jorginho, Odegaard, Rice, Martinelli, Havertz, Saka

Manchester United: Andre Onana (GK), Dalot, De Ligt, Mazroui, Shaw, Ugarte, Casemiro, Fernandes, Rashford, Zirkzee, Diallo

Players who earn a place in the starting eleven crash into the headlines mostly, but those who come off the bench are never insignificant. Depending on the situation and for various other tactical and strategic moves, substitute players can make huge differences when things start getting tough on the pitch. 

Sportzpoint explores the greatest substitutions that changed the football history and remained folkloric.

Mario Gotze

(Germany vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup Final 2014)

Mario Gotze lived the dream of every footballer back in 2014 when he scored the only goal against Argentina in the Final to take Germany to their fourth World Cup glory. 

What a goal to win it! 🤯 🇩🇪 @MarioGoetze, #OnThisDay in 2014 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ #FIFAWorldCup | @DFB_Team pic.twitter.com/gluKvx1o8v

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 13, 2022

Gotze came off the bench replacing the legendary Miroslav Klose, only two minutes before the full-time whistle but the game ended goalless. However, in the 113 minute of AET, Gotze received Schurrle's pass on the left and from a close range to the goal; and his left-footed strike fooled Argentina keeper Romero to end up in the goal. 

Argentina could not bounce back from this late setback and Germany lifted the World Cup 2014. Mario Gotze's substitution remained one of the most impactful in the history of football. 

Gareth Bale

(Real Madrid vs Liverpool, UCL Final 2017-18)

Gareth Bale admitted in an interview with FourFourTwo that he was very frustrated after not getting a start for Real Madrid in the 2017-18 UCL Final against Liverpool. However, Bale's fallout with Real Madrid's then-manager Zinedine Zidane led us to experience one of the greatest substitutions in the Champions League's history.

After a goalless first half, Karim Benzema opened the scoring in the 51st minute; but Sadio Mane only took 4 minutes to equalize for Liverpool. In the 61st minute, Bale replaced Isco but who would have thought that the Welshman was going to rewrite history and all by himself? 

#GoalOfTheDay | Gareth Bale vs Liverpool (2018) pic.twitter.com/B4dA2c4FV2

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) March 19, 2023

Only 3 minutes after Bale came on, Marcelo's cross found him in the box and Bale produced an acrobatic overhead volley, and the ball ended up in the net. Bale sealed the victory for Madrid in the 83rd minute with a rocketed strike which made Liverpool keeper Karius fumble and the ball went inside. Coming off the bench, Gareth Bale scored this heroic brace to lead Real Madrid to win their third consecutive UCL title.

Eder

(Portugal vs France, EURO 2016 Final)

Eder became an overnight sensation after slotting a late strike to win Portugal the EURO 2016, their first-ever major trophy in history. 

France and Portugal both wasted opportunities in the full-time but things became very wrong for Portugal way before. In the 25th minute, the talisman Cristiano Ronaldo faced a rough challenge from Dimitri Payet, and he was subbed off injured. However, Eder came off the bench in the 79th minute of the Final but the 90-minute of play ended in a stalemate of a 0-0 scoreline.

🇵🇹🚀 7 years ago today: Portugal beat France 1-0 in the EURO 2016 final courtesy of this goal from Éder in extra-time! pic.twitter.com/vsNwduJugw

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) July 10, 2023

But it was Eder, who only played 13 minutes in the tournament, stepped up and broke the deadlock to score the only goal in the final in the 109th minute. France could not produce a comeback as Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo lifted their first-ever major international trophy.

Ilkay Gundogan

(Manchester City vs Aston Villa, 2021-22 Premier League)

It was a neck-to-neck battle between Manchester City and Liverpool in the 2021-22 Premier League title race. Before heading into the last matchday on 22 May 2022, Manchester City was atop the table with 90 points in 37 matches and Liverpool was positioned just behind with 89 points in the same number of games.

Manchester City was set to face Aston Villa in the last match of the season and a win would ensure their fourth consecutive PL title. However, things did not go as planned for Pep Guardiola's men as Matty Cash scored for Villa in the 37th minute, and Philippe Coutinho extended the lead in the 69th minute. Coincidentally, Ilkay Gundogan replaced Bernardo Silva just one minute before Villa's second goal. Man City's title contender Liverpool was playing Wolves at the same time and they were held to a 1-1 draw after 70 minutes.

Run it back. ⏪@IlkayGuendogan's return to @ManCity has got us thinking about his iconic super-sub performance to help win the 2021/22 title 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/ENkxMiRUnQ

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 23, 2024

What happened afterward will always be written in golden words in the Premier League's history. It was Ilkay Gundogan who scored City's first goal in the 76th minute as his powerful header went in. Just two minutes later, Rodri placed a powerful strike to level the scoreline by 2-2 and City was back on top of the table.

𝘓𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘺. 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘴 🏆 @ManCity pic.twitter.com/DSU9p1cmcO

— Premier League India (@PLforIndia) May 29, 2022

It did not take much time for Gundogan to score his second and City's third as he put the ball inside with a close-range tap-in to almost win the league for City! The match eventually ended as City won the game by 3-2 and clinched their fourth consecutive PL title, all thanks to the German's magic after coming off the bench. 

Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 

(Manchester United vs Bayern Munich, 1998-99 UCL Final)

The world witnessed one of the greatest UCL finals ever on 27 May 1999 when Manchester United and Bayern Munich faced off for the coveted glory. Manchester United won the game by 2-1 in such an otherworldly manner that it still mesmerizes the next generation, and everything happened because of two substitute players, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. 

Bayern Munich took an early by scoring in the 6th minute of the match. Manchester United could not break the deadlock and headed into the break trailing 0-1. Teddy Sheringham replaced Jesper Blomqvist in the 67th minute and Solskjaer was brought in by Sir Alex Ferguson to replace Andy Cole in the 81st minute. 

On this day in 1999, Manchester United completed the historic treble after scoring two injury time goals to beat Bayern Munich! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/odhsJL5BqG

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) May 26, 2021

The game was in favour of Bayern even after 90 minutes but Sheringham slotted the ball home in just one minute into the injury time to equalize for the Red Devils. Solskjaer achieved the final glory with a simple tap-in only after two minutes, and thus the two substitutes led United to the Champions League victory.