West Ham United will be hoping to build on the point they earned in Bournemouth when they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the London Stadium.
The visitors have an outstanding head-to-head record going into this fixture, losing just one of their 14 Premier League meetings, but their rapid start to the season has slowed of late.
Julen Lopetegui has bought himself a little more time by taking four points from the last six available, but he will know that a win here could be vital ahead of West Ham's festive/New Year games with Liverpool AND Manchester City.
Here it is 90 minutes game preview.
West Ham vs Brighton H2H results (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
West Ham |
Brighton |
|---|---|
|
Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham – 16/12/24 |
Brighton 1-3 Crystal Palace – 15/12/24 |
|
West Ham 2-1 Wolves – 09/12/24 |
Leicester 2-2 Brighton – 08/12/24 |
|
Leicester 3-1 West Ham – 03/12/24 |
Fulham 3-1 Brighton – 05/12/24 |
|
West Ham 2-5 Arsenal – 30/11/24 |
Brighton 1-1 Southampton – 29/11/24 |
|
Newcastle 0-2 West Ham – 25/11/24 |
Bournemouth 1-2 Brighton – 23/11/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
N/A – live radio commentary on BBC Radio London Sport |
|
United States |
peacock |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network Canada |
West Ham are without the suspended Carlos Soler for the visit to Brighton – the Spaniard picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in Monday night's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.
Michail Antonio is expected to miss the rest of the season due to injuries sustained in a road traffic accident: manager Lopetegui recently stated it was a “miracle” that the 34-year-old was not more seriously injured.
Crysencio Summerville could come into Soler's side, with West Ham looking to attack more, but Niclas Fullkrug could also be up front with Jarrod Bowen set to drop out.
West Ham predicted formation against Wolves (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Kudus, Paqueta, Summerville; Bowen.
Brighton have a number of players still sidelined, no doubt hampering the early season progress made by Fabian Hurzeler's side.
Danny Welbeck has missed two of Brighton's last three games with an ankle injury and will miss the trip to the capital. Ferdi Kadioglu, James Milner, Jack Hinshelwood and Solly March remain sidelined with various ailments, but Adam Webster and Matt O'Riley are training again and could be available.
Joel Veltman is fit for a boost to Albion's defensive options.
Brighton predicted formation against West Ham (4-2-3-1): Consume; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; John Pedro
The last thing this West Ham side needs is a visit from a team they've never beaten at home in the Premier League.
Yes, the Hammers have looked capable of improving things away from home, putting in solid performances against Newcastle and Bournemouth, but things are not so good when they are expected to be on the front foot.
There is enough quality to hurt a Brighton side that has lost momentum, but Hammers fans will know that there is a long mental block that is seemingly very difficult to overcome. Albion have injuries ruling out key players, but could pull off a big win at the London Stadium – piling more pressure on Lopetegui in the process.