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Brighton vs West Ham Preview: Team News, Stats, Predictions And Possible Line-ups

Published

2 May 2024, 22:17 pm

Brighton vs West Ham Preview: Both teams will be hoping to get all three points following their performance at the last outing.

Last Saturday saw Brighton ascend to the top of the Premier League for the first time following their second 4-1 victory this season, this time against Wolves.

Julio Enciso assisted in two goals during the match at Molineux but has unfortunately been sidelined due to an injury.

On the other hand, West Ham began their Premier League journey with a triumphant 3-1 against Chelsea, though they lost Nayef Aguerd to a suspension after he received his second yellow card during the match.

Table of Contents

Team updates:

Both teams will see some changes this weekend. Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton’s manager, hinted at modifying his lineup by making three changes from the squad that won 4-1 against Luton the previous week.

It seems Mahmoud Dahoud and Joao Pedro are poised to play, taking the spots of Billy Gilmour and the injured Enciso.

De Zerbi also confirmed in a recent press meeting that Evan Ferguson is set to have his season’s first start, likely taking over Danny Welbeck’s spot, who Ferguson replaced in the last game around the 60-minute mark.

For West Ham, Angelo Ogbonna is likely to step in for the suspended Aguerd in the central defense. Newcomer Edson Alvarez might also get his inaugural start.

However, another recent signing, Konstantinos Mavropanos, is still not fit for play due to lingering injuries since arriving in London.

While Danny Ings is keen to play a forward role, Michail Antonio’s commendable performance against Chelsea might secure his spot in the starting lineup.

Stats

Brighton have beaten West Ham on three consecutive occasions, including a 4-0 victory in last season’s corresponding clash at Amex Stadium.

The Seagulls have lost none of their 12 Premier League meetings with the Hammers — winning six and drawing six — which is both the most times they have faced a side without ever losing and the most West Ham have faced an opponent without ever winning in the competition.

Prediction

Moyes must come up with a better game plan if West Ham are to stop Brighton taking another easy three points.

The Hammers could manage only nine touches in Albion’s penalty area during Brighton’s comfortable 4-0 home win last March that piled more pressure on the Scotsman.

Both teams have seen significant changes to their engine rooms since that clash, but Brighton’s intensity never drops and the return of Ferguson to starting duty should boost their ruthlessness in front of goal.

De Zerbi has already got his team playing to a high level and they should overcome West Ham through a combination of relentless pressure and energy.

One-nil victories have been relatively rare during the Italian’s reign, however, and it is worth backing them to win with at least two goals in the game.

Brighton have scored multiple goals in five of their last nine Premier League home games while West Ham have shipped more than once in six of their last nine top-flight road trips.

Possible Line-ups

Brighton & Hove Albion

Goalkeeper: Jason Steel
Defenders: James Milner, Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk, Pervis Estupinan
Midfielders: Pascal Gross, Billy Gilmour, Joao Pedro
Attackers: Solly March, Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck

Westham United

Goalkeeper: Alphonso Areola
Defenders: Vladimir Coufal, Emerson, Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna
Midfielders: Thomas Soucek, James Ward-Prowse, Lucas Paqueta
Attackers: Jarrod Bowen, Said Benrahma, Michail Antonio