Why West Ham vs Chelsea Premier League fixture is set to be moved

Chelsea's first two Premier League matches are set to be rescheduled following a police-approved request for their game against West Ham. The Blues are scheduled to face FA Cup champions Crystal Palace on the opening weekend, with that match slated for Sunday, August 17 at 2pm.

It now seems likely that their first away fixture of the season versus West Ham will also be moved forward by a day. Sky Sports is reportedly eager to shift the match to Friday, August 22, a day earlier than initially planned.

If this request is approved, the match will commence at 8pm on the Friday, securing a prime broadcasting slot. There would have previously been concerns of crowd trouble between the two sets of fans, given the historic rivalry between the sides, as well as the fact that fans can spend longer drinking due to the late kick-off.

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However, according to Mail Online, police believe they can manage the change. The rescheduled match still requires the green light from the Safety Advisory Group, which comprises representatives from clubs, emergency services, and the local council.

With agreement from the police, that green light should become a formality. A statement from the Metropolitan Police read: “The Met works closely with partners and clubs to ensure the safety and security of those attending football matches in London, and those in the wider community. We want everyone to come and enjoy themselves and will act decisively to deal with anyone intent on causing trouble.”

Chelsea's calendar is brimming with fixtures before they can even turn their attention to Premier League duties. They're gearing up to face Palmeiras in the Club World Cup quarter-finals and have a series of pre-season friendlies lined up.

Their pre-season agenda includes clashes with Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan. Meanwhile, West Ham are bracing for a jam-packed pre-season, with fixtures against Grasshoppers, Manchester United, Everton, Bournemouth, and Lille all in the pipeline.

Sky Sports and TNT Sports have also announced their broadcast schedule for the season's opening weekend. Defending champions Liverpool will kick off against Bournemouth on Friday, August 15, with the match airing live on Sky Sports.

TNT's inaugural match of the season features Aston Villa taking on Newcastle, while Sky Sports is set to air the Wolves vs Manchester City clash on Saturday evening. Three matches are scheduled for broadcast on Sunday, with the Manchester United vs Arsenal fixture being the highlight, and Nottingham Forest playing host to Brentford.

Leeds United's return to the Premier League concludes the opening weekend as they invite Everton to Elland Road on Monday, August 18.