West Ham United face Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium on Saturday, hoping to build on a hard-earned draw against Bournemouth. However, the Hammers face a daunting challenge against their bogey team, with Brighton boasting an impressive record in this fixture, having lost only one of their 14 Premier League meetings.
Both teams are struggling for form, with West Ham’s recent performances showing flashes of improvement under Julen Lopetegui, while Brighton’s early-season momentum has waned amid a string of injuries and winless results.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, 21 December 2024
- Kick-off Time: 15:00 GMT / 12:00 ET / 07:00 PT
- Location: London Stadium, London, England
- Referee: Rob Jones
- VAR: Paul Tierney
Head-to-Head Results (Last Five Matches)
| West Ham | Brighton | Draws |
|---|---|---|
| 1 win | 3 wins | 1 draw |
- Last Meeting: West Ham 0-0 Brighton (January 2, 2024, Premier League).
Current Form
West Ham
- Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham (16 Dec 2024)
- West Ham 2-1 Wolves (9 Dec 2024)
- Leicester 3-1 West Ham (3 Dec 2024)
- West Ham 2-5 Arsenal (30 Nov 2024)
- Newcastle 0-2 West Ham (25 Nov 2024)
Brighton
- Brighton 1-3 Crystal Palace (15 Dec 2024)
- Leicester 2-2 Brighton (8 Dec 2024)
- Fulham 3-1 Brighton (5 Dec 2024)
- Brighton 1-1 Southampton (29 Nov 2024)
- Bournemouth 1-2 Brighton (23 Nov 2024)
Team News
West Ham
- Carlos Soler is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Bournemouth.
- Michail Antonio is out for the season following a road traffic accident, though Lopetegui noted it was a “miracle” his injuries weren’t more severe.
- Crysencio Summerville is expected to step into the starting XI in place of Soler.
- Niclas Fullkrug could feature upfront, allowing Jarrod Bowen to move to a wide position.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- GK: Fabianski
- DEF: Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson
- MID: Alvarez, Soucek
- AM: Kudus, Paqueta, Summerville
- FW: Bowen
Brighton
Brighton continue to deal with an injury-hit squad, missing several key players:
- Danny Welbeck, Ferdi Kadioglu, James Milner, Jack Hinshelwood, and Solly March remain unavailable.
- However, Adam Webster and Matt O’Riley are back in training and could feature.
- Joel Veltman is fit, providing a welcome boost to Brighton’s defensive options.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- GK: Verbruggen
- DEF: Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan
- MID: Baleba, Ayari
- AM: Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma
- FW: Joao Pedro
Key Battles to Watch
1. Jarrod Bowen vs. Brighton’s Defense
With Bowen likely shifted out wide, his pace and directness will test Brighton’s full-backs, particularly Pervis Estupinan, who is returning from injury.
2. Moises Caicedo’s Successor vs. West Ham’s Midfield
Brighton’s midfield, anchored by Mahmoud Dahoud or Carlos Baleba, will need to contend with West Ham’s physical duo of Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez.
3. Mitoma’s Creativity vs. Wan-Bissaka’s Defense
Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma remains their most dangerous attacking threat, and his duel with Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be a deciding factor in the match.
Score Prediction
While Brighton’s injuries and recent form give West Ham hope, their poor record against the Seagulls—and the mental block that seems to accompany it—cannot be ignored. Brighton’s quality in attack, even with a depleted squad, may just be enough to secure a narrow victory.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Brighton
FAQs
1. What time does West Ham vs Brighton kick off?
The match kicks off at 15:00 GMT / 12:00 ET / 07:00 PT on Saturday, 21 December 2024.
2. Who are the key absentees for both teams?
- West Ham: Carlos Soler (suspension), Michail Antonio (injury).
- Brighton: Danny Welbeck, Solly March, James Milner, Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood.
3. How have Brighton performed recently?
Brighton are winless in their last four matches, struggling to maintain the form they showed early in the season.
4. What is Brighton’s record against West Ham in the Premier League?
Brighton have an impressive record, losing just one of their 14 Premier League meetings with West Ham.
5. Who is likely to score for Brighton?
Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma are Brighton’s most likely goal threats in this fixture.
