Here at SportsCasting, we have the West Ham vs Brighton preview, prediction, latest team news and predicted lineups ahead of Saturday’s clash.
West Ham Vs Brighton Preview
Interestingly, West Ham have only one Premier League victory over their gameweek 17 visitors to east London. That win came last season at the Amex Stadium.
Therefore, the Irons have never tasted success on home turf in their previous seven attempts. Will Julen Lopetegui break the curse?
Pressure has eased slightly on the Spanish boss. A vital 2-1 win over Wolves was followed up with a point against Bournemouth last time out.
A sublime Enes Unal free-kick ensured a spare of the spoils after Lucas Paqueta’s penalty opened the scoring. Lopetegui will have rued the Turk’s effort which denied back-to-back victories.
Nonetheless, the feeling around the London Stadium is a lot more positive than in recent weeks. A win on Saturday will give the Hammers boss more breathing space.
We host Brighton at London Stadium this weekend ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/wWd1vLwXNm
— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 18, 2024
Brighton are enduring a mini mid-season slump after their record breaking start to the campaign. The 3-1 defeat to rivals Crystal Palace on gameweek 16 means it’s now four league games without a win for the Seagulls.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side are still ninth in the Premier League table. However, a fifth game without victory will really dampen the mood going into the festive period.
You have to go back to November 23 for Hurzeler’s last success. Since then, the south coast outfit have picked up just two points from the last 12.
However, defeats to West Ham are a rarity. Even more so in London. The Seagulls have won twice and drawn five in their seven previous encounters.
Ahead of the match, the best football betting sites in the UK have all the latest markets, odds, price boosts and enhanced accas.
West Ham Vs Brighton Team News
Jean-Clair Todibo is rated as 50/50 for West Ham but striker Niclas Fulkrug is in line to start from the off. The German striker got 34 minutes under his belt on Monday against Bournemouth.
Emerson Palmieri returns from his one-match suspension and will likely go straight back in to the starting XI on Saturday.
Star man Jarrod Bowen is set to start out wide with Mohammed Kudus on the opposite flank. The Ghanaian is reportedly available for £90 million in the January transfer window.
Meanwhile, Brighton are set to welcome back Matt O’Riley and Joel Veltman. However, Danny Welbeck, Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood, James Milner and Solly March are all out.
Long-term absentee Adam Webster won’t return until the new year. Full-back Tariq Lamptey and Yasin Ayari are set to drop to the bench.
Joao Pedro will lead the line for the Seagulls. The Brazilian star has seven goal contributions in ten top-flight outings this season.
Our sights are set on East London… 🔜⚒️ pic.twitter.com/AdO6Kf58nH
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) December 19, 2024
West Ham Vs Brighton Predicted Lineups
West Ham (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus; Fullkrug
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Baleba, O’Riley; Adingra, Rutter, Mitoma; Pedro
West Ham Vs Brighton Prediction
After a torrid run against Brighton in east London, we are predicting West Ham to finally come good on Saturday afternoon.
The Seagulls are on the ropes currently and the Hammers have plenty of punch in them. A passionate home crowd can help roar the Irons on to another valuable win.
Prediction: West Ham 2-1 Brighton
