West Ham United play host to Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday evening, looking to end a run of two successive defeats in the Premier League.
While the Hammers remain in fourth position in the standings, Brighton are down in ninth spot after failing to win any of their last eight top-flight fixtures.
Match preview
© Reuters
Narrow defeats away at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City should not take away from what West Ham United have already achieved in the Premier League this season, the East Londoners collecting 23 points from 13 matches.
Nevertheless, David Moyes will be disappointed that his team have not built on the triumph over Liverpool before the international break, a result which moved them ahead of the Merseyside giants.
West Ham still remain in fourth position, albeit on goal difference ahead of Arsenal, but Moyes will recognise the importance of getting back on track on Wednesday night.
Although they have only won half of their six league games at the London Stadium this season, successive victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, as well as an EFL Cup triumph over Manchester City, have made a statement.
While Michail Antonio has been the standout performer in attack, the Jamaica international has not netted for the Hammers since the game with Spurs on October 24.
© Reuters
After sections of Brighton supporters booed their team off on the back of a goalless draw with Leeds United, Graham Potter has every reason to feel that he has become a victim of his own success.
Nevertheless, despite Brighton remaining in the top half of the table, there is an argument that fans are entitled to feel frustrated after failing to build on an excellent start to the campaign.
Six draws have been posted from eight games, the two defeats during that time coming against Manchester City and Aston Villa, but Brighton have only netted five times during that period.
Brighton have also failed to score from open play against Newcastle United, Villa and Leeds, and Potter will hope that fortune in the final third begins to turn in their favour sooner rather than later.
On a positive note, Brighton remain just two points adrift of sixth position, the scenario which should perhaps convince any disgruntled supporters to continue to back their upward-trending team.
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- L
- W
- D
- W
- L
- W
- L
- D
- L
- D
- D
- L
- D
Team News
© Reuters
With Aaron Cresswell struggling with a back injury, Vladimir Coufal could start at right-back, with Ben Johnson likely switching flanks.
Jarrod Bowen will almost certainly be recalled to the starting lineup, taking the place of Arthur Masuaku.
Having netted a stunning consolation goal at Man City, Manuel Lanzini will hope for an opportunity ahead of Pablo Fornals or Said Benrahma.
While Potter may stick with the back four which started versus Leeds, the Englishman will contemplate changes further forward.
Enock Mwepu, Solly March and Alexis Mac Allister are all pushing for a recall, while Tariq Lamptey may not be risked twice in the space of a few days after a hamstring injury.
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Zouma, Johnson; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Lanzini, Fornals; Antonio
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Cucurella; Bissouma, Mwepu; Trossard, Moder, March; Maupay
We say: West Ham United 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Despite Potter being relatively satisfied with the performances of his team, the Seagulls do not travel to East London in confident mood. That should contribute to a comfortable victory for the Hammers, who may seize control with a couple of early goals.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a West Ham United win with a probability of 40.31%. A win for Brighton & Hove Albion had a probability of 32.05% and a draw had a probability of 27.6%.
The most likely scoreline for a West Ham United win was 1-0 with a probability of 11.76%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (8.32%) and 2-0 (7.52%). The likeliest Brighton & Hove Albion win was 0-1 (10.19%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.02%). The actual scoreline of 1-1 was predicted with a 13% likelihood.
