Brighton & Hove Albion head into their first Premier League home fixture of the season against West Ham United having recorded an impressive 3-0 victory away at Watford last weekend.
In sharp contrast, the Hammers suffered a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City at the London Stadium, leaving Manuel Pellegrini's side at the bottom of the standings.
Match preview
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Despite receiving criticism for the appointment of Graham Potter over the summer, Brighton have quickly found justification for their bold change in the dugout after a performance which has only raised expectations on the south coast.
Few gave the Seagulls a chance of registering three points against a team who almost qualified for Europe last season, but the visitors delivered an excellent performance in their first competitive match using three players at the back.
While Potter has been given the freedom to spend money in the transfer market, it was a returning loanee in Dan Burn who, so far, looks the most astute addition to his squad in a new-look backline.
Neal Maupay also showed a glimpse of why Potter had brought him in from Brentford, despite a lack of top-flight experience, and already there is a strong suggestion that the Frenchman is capable of being the club's long-term replacement for Glenn Murray.
In the hours before Brighton prevailed at Vicarage Road, West Ham had endured another harsh opening to a season, having lost heavily at Liverpool 12 months ago.
The Hammers had their moments against defending champions Man City, especially during the middle of the second half, but Pellegrini will have concerns over how easily his team were opened up on home territory.
The key now is to avoid four defeats in a row like last season, a run of results which effectively undermined their efforts to finish in the top seven of the standings come May.
However, with a favourable fixture list during the opening two months of the season, Pellegrini knows that there is still an opportunity for the club to be a factor in the top half of the table over the coming weeks, providing that they can get off the mark on Saturday afternoon.
Brighton & Hove Albion form: W
West Ham United form: L
Team News
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Pellegrini has doubts over the fitness of Felipe Anderson, who was forced off injured last weekend, and summer signing Sebastien Haller.
Pablo Fornals is expected to come into the team for his first start, with Michail Antonio's place in the side potentially dependent on whether Anderson is fit enough to feature in the first XI.
Jack Wilshere should play for the second fixture in succession, but West Ham are still without Mark Noble due to a calf problem.
As for Brighton, Potter must decide whether to keep the same starting lineup or draft in Maupay for his full debut.
Both Jurgen Locadia and Murray will be hoping that they will be given another opportunity to impress in the final third.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup: Ryan; Duffy, Dunk, Burn; Montoya; Gross, Stephens, Propper, March; Locadia, Murray
West Ham United possible starting lineup: Fabianski; Fredericks, Balbuena, Diop, Cresswell; Rice, Wilshere; Fornals, Lanzini, Anderson; Haller
We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-2 West Ham United
While Brighton will be on a high after their performance last weekend, that may play into the favour of West Ham, whose strength is in the final third. We expect an open game at the Amex Stadium, with Brighton perhaps having to strike late in order to earn a share of the spoils.
Darren Plant
