Brighton vs West Ham Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview
After six wins in eight as they entered March, Brighton looked like they might be making a late push for the European places. Indeed they went to Manchester City and picked up a credible 2-2 draw. However, following the international break, the FA Cup quarter-final defeat on penalties against Nottingham Forest has really seemed to have rocked them with three defeats in four winless games against sides in an average position of just 12th. It hasn’t been much better for West Ham meanwhile under new manager Graham Potter with no wins in six and the embarrassment of failing to beat bottom side Southampton last weekend who had already lost 26 times this season. So with both sides struggling for wins, what’s the best bet?
Brighton vs West Ham Prediction: Go for goals
England, Premier League, Saturday, April 26th, 15:00 (UK)
Despite 10th place Brighton’s poor recent run of form, they remain just one point off 8th place Bournemouth and with 15 points still to play for, there’s still a chance of European football in Fabian Hürzeler’s first season in-charge. Following last seasons 11th place under Roberto De Zerbi, there looks to be plenty of positives to take based on the season-to-date versus their current league position.
They rank 7th for both possession (52.4%) and shots per-game (13.8), showcasing their ability to dictate football matches, and despite conceding the 6th fewest shots per-game (11.2) as a result, it has been their defence that has let them down this season, possessing the 6th worst defence in the league with 53 goals conceded in just 33 games. However, this is something that shouldn’t be difficult for Hürzeler to rectify with Brighton having made the joint 2nd most errors leading to goals in the league with a huge 13. For context Arsenal have made the fewest with just one.
Ex-Brighton boss Graham Potter was brought in as West Ham boss in January following Julen Lopetegui’s sacking. Whilst he may have reduced the number of goals they are conceding (1.95pg v 1.23pg), attacking wise they have dropped off (1.20pg v 1.10pg) and as a result the number of points they have picked up (1.0pg v 1.15pg).
All this means they languish 17th in the Premier League table, one place above the drop, and if the three promoted teams hadn’t been as bad as they were, then they could seriously be in a relegation battle.
This is the 6th worst defence versus the 5th worst defence and as a result Over 2.5 goals has to be backed when it’s priced at 1.72. Brighton have conceded at least two goals in their last five matches, resulting in their last 10 games all seeing Over 2.5 goals winners. Their matches have the best strike rate in the entire league for this bet with 73% having three or more goals (24 of 33). With Graham Potter only having been in charge for 13 games, I’m happy to look at West Ham’s season as a whole. Their matches haven’t been quite as high scoring but 61% of their games have seen both teams scoring which rises to 64% in their away games. They’ve scored in 14 of 16 away games so I don’t see why they can’t contribute to the scoresheet against this Brighton defence.
- Brighton vs West Ham Prediction: Over 2.5 goals
- Best Odds: 1.72
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 7/10
Brighton vs West Ham Prediction odds via bet365 as at 12:00, April 24th, 2025. Odds may now differ.
Brighton vs West Ham Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups
Brighton have an absentee list only bettered by Ipswich Town in the Premier League as they will be missing up to nine players ahead of this weekends clash. Joao Pedro is suspended after being sent-off against Brentford last time out for violent conduct in a game where Jan Paul van Hecke also suffered a head injury. Igor Julio (thigh), Tariq Lamptey (ankle) and Joel Veltman (ankle) have stepped up their rehab in recent weeks and could be back soon. There’s a chance Jason Steele (shoulder), James Milner (thigh) and Ferdi Kadioglu (ankle) could play again this season but it’s likely both Georginio Rutter (ankle) and Adam Webster (thigh) will miss the rest of the season. For West Ham, Evan Ferguson is ineligible to face his parent club while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Edson Alvarez could be back in time. Crysencio Summerville (thigh) is still out whilst Michail Antonio (leg) remains a long-term absence.
Brighton possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Wieffer, Cashin, Dunk, Estupinan; Baleba, Hinshelwood; Minteh, O’Reilly, Mitoma; Welbeck
West Ham possible starting lineup:
Areola; Coufal, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Soler, Ward-Prowse; Bowen, Kudus, Paqueta; Fullkrug
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