Bowen will partner Niclas Füllkrug, who scored in the final three pre-season games against Everton, AFC Bournemouth and LOSC Lille, in attack. The skipper scored in the 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last season and also hit the net in a 3-2 victory over Chelsea at London Stadium in December 2021.
Wing-back Kyle Walker-Peters could debut from the substitutes’ bench, having arrived in July after leaving Southampton.
The substitutes’ bench will be filled out by Alphonse Areola, Dinos Mavropanos, Ollie Scarles, Freddie Potts, Andy Irving, Callum Marshall – available again after suspension – and Callum Wilson.
Edson Álvarez is not involved.
Chelsea were forced into a late change to their starting XI, with Cole Palmer being replaced following the warm-up by Brazilian teenager Estêvão. Goalkeeper Gaga is drafted onto the bench.
West Ham United: Hermansen, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd, Diouf, Ward-Prowse, Souček, Paquetá, Bowen ©, Füllkrug
Subs: Areola (GK), Walker-Peters, Scarles, Mavropanos, Potts, Rodríguez, Irving, Marshall, Wilson
Chelsea: Sánchez, Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernández ©, Neto, Estêvão, Pedro, Delap
Subs: Jörgensen (GK), Gaga (GK), James, Fofana, Acheampong, Hato, Essugo, Gittens, Santos
Referee: Michael Oliver