West Ham vs Brighton Preview: Team News & Prediction
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An inconsistent West Ham will hope to take advantage of playing a Brighton side perhaps low on confidence after failing to win in their last four matches.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 21st December, 2024: UK – 3:00pm / US ET – 10:00am / US PT – 7:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Peacock Premium
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Premier League
West Ham Preview: Inconsistency frustrates all concerned
Just when you think West Ham might have finally turned a corner under Julen Lopetegui, they find a way to mess things up with a bad result, which is why supporters will be understandably cautious heading into this game. After all, they followed up victory over Man Utd with a 3-0 drubbing at Nottingham Forest and an outstanding 0-2 triumph away at Newcastle was backed up by consecutive defeats.
Since an awful 3-1 loss at the hands of Leicester, the Hammers have since recorded four points from their two league fixtures since, a 2-1 win over Wolves and a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Bournemouth which saw them pegged back quickly by the Cherries after taking the lead with three minutes of normal time remaining.
Brighton Preview: Honeymoon period over
Brighton have very quietly fallen into somewhat of a Premier League rut and have not won in any of their most recent four top flight fixtures, losing twice and drawing twice. Defensively poor, the Seagulls have shipped nine goals across that period, leaving little doubt as to where their main problems lie.
Whilst injuries have hampered them at times, Brighton haven’t helped themselves and the manner of their goals conceded at home to Crystal Palace last time out will have been unacceptable in the eyes of fans, especially against their biggest rivals.
West Ham Team News: Emerson back in the fold
Left-back Emerson is expected to return to the West Ham starting XI following the end of his suspension. However, Carlos Soler has now picked up five yellow cards and will miss this match, whilst Jean-Clair Todibo is doubtful with a groin problem.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Kudus, Paqueta, Summerville; Bowen
Unavailable: Soler (Suspended), Antonio (Injured)
Questionable: Todibo (Injured)
Brighton Team News: Milner and Welbeck out
Fabian Hurzeler has ruled out both James Milner and Danny Welbeck, although Adam Webster has a chance of being passed fit in better. Hurzeler will also have both Joel Veltman and Matt O’Riley available.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Verbruggen; Dunk, Van Hecke, Julio; Adingra, O’Riley, Baleba, Estupinan; Minteh, Joao Pedro, Mitoma
Unavailable: Milner (Injured), Welbeck (Injured)
Questionable: March (Fitness), Hinshelwood (Injured), Kadioglu (Injured), Webster (Injured)
West Ham vs Brighton Prediction
The pressure is on West Ham here, who desperately need three points to continue their climb up the table and well away from any relegation trouble. At home, they’ll be expected to take the game to Brighton from an attacking perspective and maintain their streak of having scored in each of their last five matches.
However, this could lead to Brighton gaining extra space inside their opponents’ half, assuming that West Ham push bodies forward in numbers. Those five most recent games where the Hammers have found the net, they’ve also conceded. Against a Brighton side without a clean sheet in their last eight, backing both teams to score has to be favoured.
West Ham vs Brighton Tip: Both teams to score
