Verdict: West Ham win
Best Odds: 9/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
Looking to carry on their very impressive recent run of form, Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham side will travel to the Amex Stadium on Friday night hoping to go four Premier League games unbeaten.
Brighton
Starting with Chris Hughton’s Brighton, while their famous 3-2 win over Manchester United may have improved the atmosphere on the South Coast, the Seagulls have since struggled, particularly with defensively. Coming off the back of a 2-0 loss away at defending champions Manchester City, Friday’s hosts are now without a win in their last six matches in all competitions, a run that stems back to the middle of August. Conceding two goals in each of their last four, their 13 goals conceded so far now means that Hughton’s side hold the second worst defensive record in the top flight. Despite impressively avoiding the drop last season, the former Newcastle boss will also be desperate to improve on his sides recent form at the Amex. Brighton have now recorded just two wins at home in their last eight Premier League matchups.
Team News
Brighton & Hove Albion will assess the fitness of Dale Stephens, who missed Saturday’s defeat at Manchester City because of a hamstring injury.
Pascal Gross remains sidelined with ankle damage, but Jose Izquierdo is pushing for a first start this season.
West Ham
As for Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham side, despite slumping to four defeats in their opening four Premier League games, the Hammers have done a stellar job of bouncing back. Coming off the back of a very impressive performance in their 3-1 win over Manchester United, Friday’s visitors also became the first team to take points off of Chelsea in their 0-0 draw. Now unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions, their 8-0 win over Macclesfield has West Ham dreaming of a potential European push. One man who has epitomized the Hammers’ recent turn of form is last years top scorer Marko Aranutovic. Finding the net against Jose Mourinho’s men last Saturday, the 29-year-old now has four in his last four Premier League appearances. Also putting three past Everton at Goodison last month, West Ham’s new look attacking trio have now been directly involved in each of their last six goals.
Team News
West Ham are likely to be unchanged, with Carlos Sanchez and Jack Wilshere among the continued injury absentees.
Javier Hernandez is in full training after overcoming glandular fever but he may not be risked on Friday.
Key Factors to Consider
- Brighton managed to win both their meetings with the Hammers last season.
- Marko Arnautovic has been involved in 17 goals since the start of last season, only Mohamed Salah has been involved in more (24).
- The Seagulls have now managed to win just two of their last eight matches at the Amex.
- They are also yet to record a win in any competition since the 19th August.
- The Hammers have won four of their last six outings in all competitions, including two away victories.
Conclusion
While the Seagulls may have managed to pick up a pair of wins over West Ham last season, it is hard to see them stopping a revitalized Hammers outfit. With Brighton conceding eight in their last four, coupled with the visitors free-scoring antics over the past few weeks, we’re backing Manuel Pellegrini’s side to leave the South Coast with the three points.
Verdict: West Ham win
Best Odds: 9/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
