West Ham vs Brighton Best Bets Preview

Our resident Brighton fan Matthew O’Regan is on hand with his West Ham vs Brighton best bet preview. With only one win in 14 against Brighton in the Premier League, West Ham will be keen to overcome their Seagulls hoodoo, while Brighton will be keen to arrest a slump of form that has seen them take just two points from games against Southampton, Fulham, Leicester and Crystal Palace. 

West Ham vs Brighton Best Bet: Lopetegui to deliver Hammer Blow?

England, Premier League, Saturday , December 21st, 15:00 (UK)

Saturday sees West Ham United host bogey side Brighton and Hove Albion at the London Stadium. The Hammers have beaten The Seagulls just once in 14 Premier League appearances but can take solace in last year’s 1-3 win at the Amex and Brighton’s recent blip in form. 

If media reports were to be believed, Julien Lopetegui was on the brink of the sack heading into a crucial game against his former employer, Wolverhampton Wanderers. A 2-1 win, followed by a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, has bided him some more time, but things could soon turn toxic if they fail to get a result against an out-of-sorts Brighton in the capital on Saturday. 

Despite a huge summer outlay in the transfer window, West Ham are struggling in the league, sitting 14th. Their defensive fragility would concern Lopetegui, with his side only keeping two clean sheets – against Crystal Palace (1.35 xGa) and Everton (1.11 xGa). Only Brentford, Leicester, Wolves and Southampton have conceded more than West Ham’s 29, with heavy defeats to Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal eating into their goal difference. 

Irons’ games are averaging 3.125 goals, with seven of their eight home games seeing over 2.5 goals – the exception of the 0-0 draw with Everton. While West Ham only drew 1-1 with Bournemouth on MNF, it was an end-to-end game with both goalkeepers sparing the defensive blushes. There was a combined xG of 4.07, showcasing how eventful their recent games have been. West Ham’s last four games have seen BTTS. 

Brighton sit in ninth after failing to win in their last four games, blowing leads against relegation-threatened sides Southampton and Leicester to draw, as well as losing 3-1 to Fulham and bitter rivals Crystal Palace. At 31, Fabian Hürzeler is still new to the management game but must quickly adapt to the Premier League, or his side could continue their slide down their table.

The biggest disappointment in Brighton’s season is their tendency to crumble under pressure. They have now conceded two goals in five minutes on five occasions this season, being spared by VAR against Manchester United and Southampton and the crossbar against Bournemouth in similar scenarios.

The Seagulls are packed with attacking talent who can create something out of nothing. Their defensive issues continue to plague them, with the lack of pace in the backline a real hindrance. With 26 goals and 25 conceded, their games are averaging 3.19 goals, with 12/16 seeing over 2.5 goals and 13/16 seeing BTTS – the second-highest total in the league. 

• West Ham vs Brighton Best Bet: Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.72
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10 (TRACKED BET)

West Ham vs Brighton Best Bet odds via bet365 as at 12;00, December, 17th, 12:00 Odds may now differ.

West Ham vs Brighton Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups Best Bet: Injuries continue to mount for Brighton

Fabian Hurzeler can’t seem to catch a break on the injury front. A BBC Sport graphic showed that Brighton had sustained the most injuries this season. Just as it looked like they were restoring some normality in the team, Danny Welbeck and Matt O’Riley missed out against Crystal Palace with injuries. They join Solly March, Jack Hinshelwood, Joel Veltman, James Milner, Adam Webster and Ferdi Kadioglu on the injury list, although it is hoped Veltman will be back fit. After a disappointing run of form, the German may ring the changes. Julio Enciso was left out of the match day squad for the two away games against Leicester and Fulham but was subbed on after 45 minutes against Crystal Palace and looked a bright spark for the Seagulls. 

Carlos Soler picked up his fifth yellow of the season against Bournemouth so is set to miss out through suspension. He joins Michail Antonio as an absentee. Emerson returns from suspension so should come in for Vladimir Coufal, with Aaron Wan Bissaka moving back to right back. 

West Ham possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Wan Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek, Paqueta; Summerville, Bowen, Kudus

Brighton possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Wieffer; Gruda, Enciso, Mitoma; Pedro

Match OPTA Stats

• West Ham have won just one of their 14 Premier League meetings with Brighton (D7 L6), picking up a 3-1  victory at the Amex Stadium last season. 
• Brighton are unbeaten in all seven of their Premier League away games against West Ham (W2 D5), both  the most they’ve faced an opponent on the road without ever losing and the most West Ham have faced an  opponent at home without ever winning in the competition. 
• Having scored in each of their first 13 Premier League meetings with West Ham (27 goals in total),  Brighton’s last meeting with the Hammers in the competition finished 0-0. 
• Brighton are winless in their last 10 Premier League away games against London sides (D4 L6), conceding  at least twice in all six defeats. 
• West Ham United have picked up 10 points in their last five home Premier League matches (W3 D1 L1), as  many as they had in their previous 11 games at the London Stadium (W2 D4 L5). 

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