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Chelsea fans will have their first opportunity to assess the team under new boss Xabi Alonso on Tuesday, when the Blues take on Western Sydney Wanderers at Accor Stadium.
The Londoners' opponents finished last in Australia's top flight last term, so perhaps they will be the perfect opposition for Alonso, who will be keen to impress after taking on the job at Stamford Bridge in May.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers key stats
- Chelsea kept just two clean sheets in their final 18 matches of 2025-26.
- Western Sydney Wanderers have conceded at least two goals in nine of their last 11 fixtures.
- Wanderers have conceded the first goal in five of their past seven games.
- Western Sydney Wanderers have been level at half time with each of their last three opponents.
Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers preview: A first look at Xabi Alonso
Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers — Tale of the Tape
| Chelsea | vs | Western Sydney Wanderers |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (2025-26 Premier League) | Position | 12th (2025-26 A-League) |
| 52 | Points | 21 |
| 58 | Goals For | 27 |
| 52 | Goals Against | 43 |
| 9 | Clean Sheets | 5 |
| 13th | Home / Away Rank | 12th |
When Chelsea changed ownership from Roman Abramovich to Clearlake Capital in 2022, the incredible level of spending remained – and arguably increased further – but success on the pitch has been hard to come by.
The Blues finished 10th in the Premier League last term with just 52 points, and they failed to secure European football for the second time in four seasons, an unthinkable position for a two-time winner of the Champions League.
Part of the reason for the Londoners' struggles in 2025-26 was the reported falling out between Enzo Maresca with those behind the scenes, leading to his dismissal in January, but the club's ownership also have shown little faith in the managers they have appointed, as seen by the fact Xabi Alonso is their sixth permanent head coach since Clearlake Capital's arrival.
The Spaniard was sacked by Real Madrid in January, though few could blame him for struggling to deal with the infamously toxic nature of Los Blancos' dressing room, and the Blues will hope that he can replicate his work at Bayer Leverkusen and lead the club to the top of the table.
Ahead of the game, there are some concerns about midfielder Romeo Lavia, and while his latest setback appears to just be a knock, Chelsea are unlikely to risk his fitness.
To suggest that Western Sydney Wanderers' 2025-26 campaign was disappointing would be an understatement given they finished last in the A-League with just 21 points from 26 games.
That placement was in fact their worst ever since the club's establishment in 2012, with their return of 21 points less than half the total they amassed in 2024-25 (46).
Wanderers' 2026-27 league campaign will begin on October 16, but they have already returned to domestic action having beaten Tigers FC 2-0 in the round of 32 of the Australian Cup on July 22.
Perhaps the Australian side will look to reward their first-team stars with a start against such a high-calibre opponent, and that could mean the likes of Miguel Di Pizio, Brandon Borrello and Liam Gillion are set to feature in attack.
Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers form guide & betting tips
| CHE | vs | WSW |
|---|---|---|
LDLWL |
Form | LLLLW |
| 4 | Goals For | 3 |
| 9 | Goals Against | 9 |
N/A |
Friendly form | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Chelsea 3-1 Western Sydney Wanderers
It comes as no surprise to see that the bookmakers believe Alonso will start his reign with a win, with a Chelsea victory priced at 2/9 (1.22).
Chelsea were vulnerable at the back for much of 2025-26, and a possible outcome on Tuesday could be for Both Teams to Score, priced at 8/11 (1.73).
Western Sydney Wanderers have also proven to be defensively susceptible, and if the Blues play a strong team, then it would make sense to predict Over 2.5 Goals for Chelsea at 8/11 (1.73).
Wanderers have not been trailing at half time in their last three games, and that makes a prediction of a Draw at Half Time at 2/1 (3) a value bet.
> Both Teams to Score at 8/11 (1.73) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 Goals for Chelsea at 8/11 (1.73) | Likelihood: Possible
> Draw at Half Time at 2/1 (3) | Likelihood: Outsider