Brighton v West Ham Preview

The Seagulls welcome West Ham to the Amex stadium for the opening fixture of Match Week 8 on Friday night as Brighton & Hove Albion continue their search for their first win in five Premier League games. When Albion defeated Manchester united 3-2 at the Amex on Match Week 2, the manager and fans must have thought this season’s relegation battle would be fought beneath them. However, results and performances haven’t quite matched up since. Subsequent fixtures have seen them lose 1-0 at Anfield, knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Southampton a 2-2 draw against Fulham and Southampton in the Premier League. In recent weeks, Chris Hughton’s side have stretched that poor form, losing 2-1 and 2-0 to Tottenham and Manchester City respectively, taking them to 15th position on the table, one position and two points behind opponents West Ham.

The Seagulls may argue they have had a tough run of fixtures but the fixture computer handed Manuel Pellegrini’s men a tougher one as they have had to play Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in the opening seven games. West Ham did lose their opening four games but are currently on a roll, unbeaten in four matches across all competitions having recently claimed the scalps of Everton and Manchester United and drawing with Chelsea in the league and putting Macclesfield to the sword 8-0 in the Carabao Cup. With the international break beckoning after this weekend’s round of fixtures, both sides will see this as an opportunity to take valuable points to build on when the Premier League resumes.

West Ham’s change of manager and summer cash splash may finally be paying dividends. They currently look a rejuvenated side and summer signings Yarmolenko and Anderson are beginning to settle and show their class. Marko Arnautovic who scored 11 goals in the league last season is in even better form, playing in a more advanced role, he has scored four goals in the competition this season. Brighton on the other hand are heavily reliant on Glenn Murray who scored 12 goals last season and has also scored four goals this season. The Hammers and Albion have conceded 12 and 13 goals respectively, so both may see scoring more goals as the best chance of winning Friday’s game. West Ham have the superior firepower upfront but Albion have the joy of completing a Premier League double over the Hammers last season.

On the injury front, Pascal Gross is still sidelined for Albion but Dale Stephens will be assessed ahead of the game. Asides that, Chris Hughton has the whole squad to call on for this fixture. For West Ham, Pellegrini cannot yet call on Jack Wilshere, Andy Caroll, Winston Reid and Manuel Lanzini who all remain sidelined with injury.

Brighton must be wary of West Ham’s form and will know that a draw in this match won’t be the worst result to take to the international break while the Hammers will look to widen the gap between both teams on the table and also continue their march up on the league table. When West Ham hired Pellegrini in the summer, the fans and owners will have hoped for a top 8 finish. If such heights are to be reached, this is a game they will have to take 3 points from.

Expected Lineups

Brighton: Ryan, Montoya, Dunk, Duffy, Bong, Knockaert, Propper, Kayalat, Izquierdo, Locadia, Murray

West Ham: Fabianski, Masuaku, Diop, Balbuena, Zabaleta, Rice, Anderson, Obiang, Noble, Yarmolenko, Arnautovic

Verdict

This is trickier than it first seems as West Ham lost both games last season to an Albion side who are quite dangerous under Chris Hughton. However I think West Ham are so full of confidence now that they will be looking to get some revenge for last seasons defeats and I cannot see West Ham losing. I am going to go with 2-1 to West Ham, still think the defence is leaky and the clean sheet will prove allusive once again.