Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United FC, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Brighton suffered a rare defeat last weekend, losing out in a narrow defeat to close rivals Fulham. The Cottagers have now overtaken them in the table.

The Seagulls have three games in hand over Fulham, however, and two on Liverpool. Wins in those games will take them into 6th.

Roberto De Zerbi’s men also won their FA Cup game in midweek, meaning they are now through to the Quarter Finals of that competition – another success in an already successful season.

West Ham, on the other hand, were knocked out of the cup by Manchester United in their game. They will be disappointed having led 1-0 with 15 minutes to go.

Their league form picked up last weekend, however. A rare 4-0 victory blew away some of the cobwebs around David Moyes’ team and lifted them into 16th.

Another win would send them shooting further up the table, but Brighton will have other ideas.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Brighton & Hove Albion Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Haven’t lost in 11 Premier League meetings with West Ham

     Will want a response after losing their last league game

Reasons to be fearful:

     Goals have dried up a little of late

     West Ham have looked better upfront recently

For their excellent play and fantastic results this season, Brighton have found their league position slipping a little in recent weeks. 

Two draws and that defeat to Fulham have allowed the Cottagers and a revived Liverpool edge ahead of them, although the Seagulls have games in hand to put that right.

Their form against the Hammers is excellent, having not tasted defeat against them in any of their 11 Premier League meetings. 

Brighton will be wary of West Ham’s attack, which looks to have improved in recent weeks, but know that they have plenty of quality themselves.

Goals have dried up a little for Brighton of late, however. They haven’t scored more than once in any of their last four, having scored 16 in their previous five.

Star Man – Danny Welbeck

Welbeck has particularly enjoyed his clashes with West Ham in the past, netting on six occasions which is the most of any opponent. 

West Ham United FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     4-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest was a welcome result last weekend

     A win could see them rise as high as 13th 

Reasons to be fearful

     Never kept a clean sheet against Brighton

     Won just two of their last 20 away games in the league

West Ham have endured a mixed week, springing out of the bottom three after a thumping 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest before crashing out of the FA Cup to Manchester United.

This week, the Hammers face the additional pressure that comes with the return of the Europa Conference League. It could be a welcome relief from their struggles in the league or an unnecessary schedule challenge.

Either way, this game against Brighton is as important as ever. A win could take them as high as 13th, depending on results from other teams – the club surely has too much quality to be down near the bottom for too long.

Unfortunately, their form is poor coming into this game. Not only have they never beaten Brighton in 11 attempts, they have just two wins from their last 20 away games in the league.

Star Man – Danny Ings

Scored his first two goals for the Hammers in their 4-0 win last weekend, showing his finishing quality. Unfortunately, he was able to play against Manchester United in midweek but he’ll be back here.