West Ham vs Brighton Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, Tuesday, 30 December

West Ham will face Brighton in a Premier League clash at the London Stadium on Tuesday, 30 December. This match is set to be a significant encounter as both teams look to secure crucial points in the league standings. West Ham, playing at home, will aim to use their familiarity with the London Stadium to gain an advantage over their opponents.

Brighton, meanwhile, will be eager to challenge West Ham and potentially silence the home crowd. Both teams have delivered unpredictable performances in the Premier League this season, making this matchup particularly intriguing for fans and bettors alike. As we delve into the prediction, match preview, and betting tips, keep an eye on how each team strategises to outplay the other on this important evening.

West Ham vs Brighton Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Both teams to score: yes	1.67

Considering recent performances and statistics, it’s evident that both teams have struggled defensively but consistently managed to score. Our recommended betting tip for this match is ‘Both Teams to Score’.

• Brighton have scored in 78% of their matches this season, indicating a strong attacking presence.
• West Ham concede an average of 2 goals per match, highlighting their defensive vulnerability.
• Neither team is in their best form, which often leads to a more open game with opportunities for both sides to find the net.

Betting Odds

West Ham are hosting Brighton at the London Stadium, and the betting odds suggest a closely contested affair. Brighton are slight favourites with odds at 2.18, reflecting their consistent performances this season. Meanwhile, West Ham’s odds of 3.17 indicate that the bookmakers see them as underdogs, but not by much.

Betting Tip	Odds
West Ham to win	3.17
Draw	3.54
Brighton to win	2.18

The draw is priced at 3.54, which might appeal to those expecting a tight match. For those considering goal markets, both teams have shown attacking prowess, making the over 2.5 goals market an intriguing option.

West Ham Analysis & Past Performance

West Ham’s recent form has been challenging, with the team failing to secure a win in their last five matches, resulting in three losses and two draws. This includes a recent 0-1 home defeat to Fulham, highlighting ongoing struggles in front of their home crowd at the London Stadium.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
West Ham	Fulham	0 – 1 (Loss)	Premier League	27 Dec, 2025
Manchester City	West Ham	3 – 0 (Loss)	Premier League	20 Dec, 2025
West Ham	Aston Villa	2 – 3 (Loss)	Premier League	14 Dec, 2025
Brighton	West Ham	1 – 1 (Draw)	Premier League	7 Dec, 2025
Manchester United	West Ham	1 – 1 (Draw)	Premier League	4 Dec, 2025

Recent Form:
West Ham’s ability to find the back of the net has been below par, averaging just 0.80 goals per game in their last five outings while conceding 1.80 goals on average. The team has not managed a clean sheet in any of these matches, indicating vulnerabilities in their defensive setup. Despite their attacking efforts, they have scored only four goals in their last five matches. Jarrod Bowen remains their top scorer with five goals this season, but overall team contributions have been lacking, resulting in a league position of 18th with just 13 points accumulated.

Home vs Away:

• LLLDD

At home, the team has a win ratio of 0.22 in their last ten games, highlighting a significant drop in form when playing at the London Stadium. Their home performances have been particularly concerning, with three consecutive home losses contributing to a winless home streak. Despite these struggles, West Ham’s ability to score in seven of their last ten matches shows potential if defensive issues can be addressed.

West Ham Suspensions & Injuries

West Ham face a few challenges in terms of player availability due to ongoing suspensions and injuries. The absence of Łukasz Fabiański, who is sidelined with an unspecified injury and has no clear return date, may not be a significant blow given Alphonse Areola’s presence in goal. Areola has been a reliable figure for West Ham and is expected to continue his role without much disruption to the team’s defensive stability.

Player	Reason for Suspension	Matches Left	Anticipated Return
El Hadji Malick Diouf	National duty	1	Unknown
Aaron Wan-Bissaka	National duty	1	Unknown

The suspensions of El Hadji Malick Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, both serving a national team ban with one match remaining, could impact West Ham’s depth, particularly in defensive options. However, with Kyle Walker-Peters and Max Kilman available, the team should be able to maintain their defensive structure effectively.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Łukasz Fabiański	Unknown	Unknown

Tactically, Nuno Espírito Santo may not need to make significant adjustments given the current lineup’s form and adaptability. The primary focus will likely remain on maintaining a solid defensive line while leveraging the creativity of Lucas Paquetá in midfield and the attacking prowess of Jarrod Bowen up front. These absences are not expected to significantly alter West Ham’s betting odds for the upcoming match against Brighton.

West Ham Key Players

West Ham’s attacking play will heavily rely on Jarrod Bowen, the team’s top scorer with 5 goals this season. Bowen’s ability to find the back of the net from various positions makes him a constant threat to Brighton’s defence. His agility and knack for positioning allow him to exploit any defensive gaps, making him a pivotal figure in West Ham’s attacking setup.

In midfield, Lucas Paquetá stands out as a key playmaker. His vision and passing range are crucial in orchestrating West Ham’s forward movements and linking up with the attack. Paquetá’s ability to control the tempo of the game and deliver precise passes can unlock Brighton’s defence. Additionally, Crysencio Summerville offers pace and creativity on the wings, providing width and crossing opportunities.

At the back, Jean-Clair Todibo will be vital in maintaining defensive solidity. His aerial strength and tackling prowess are essential in thwarting Brighton’s attacking threats. Together with Max Kilman, they form a central defensive partnership that can withstand pressure and initiate counter-attacks.

Expected lineup for West Ham:

• Goalkeeper: Alphonse Areola
• Defence: Kyle Walker-Peters, Jean-Clair Todibo, Max Kilman, Oliver Scarles
• Midfield: Freddie Potts, Mateus Fernandes, Lucas Paquetá, Crysencio Summerville, Soungoutou Magassa
• Forward: Jarrod Bowen

West Ham Tactics and Formation

West Ham Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-2-1
• Key Forward: Jarrod Bowen
• Midfield Pivot: Mateus Fernandes and Lucas Paquetá
• Defensive Strength: Recent struggles with no clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Emphasis on midfield control and quick transitions.

West Ham’s 4-3-2-1 formation under Nuno Espírito Santo emphasises control in midfield and quick transitions to attack. With Mateus Fernandes and Lucas Paquetá in central roles, they aim to dictate play and break up opposition attacks. Paquetá’s creativity and Fernandes’ defensive acumen provide a balanced midfield pivot.

Defensively, the backline consists of Kyle Walker-Peters and Oliver Scarles as full-backs, with Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman forming the central partnership. Despite their efforts, West Ham have struggled defensively, failing to secure a clean sheet in their last five matches, conceding an average of 1.80 goals per game.

Offensively, West Ham rely heavily on Jarrod Bowen, their top scorer, to spearhead attacks. The supporting roles of Crysencio Summerville and Soungoutou Magassa aim to exploit spaces in the opposition’s defence, focusing on quick transitions from midfield to attack.

Brighton Analysis & Past Performance

Brighton’s recent form in the Premier League has been underwhelming, as they have struggled to secure a win in their last five outings. The team have recorded three losses and two draws, including a narrow 1-2 defeat to Arsenal and a goalless stalemate against Sunderland.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Arsenal	Brighton	2 – 1 (Loss)	Premier League	27 Dec 2025
Brighton	Sunderland	0 – 0 (Draw)	Premier League	20 Dec 2025
Liverpool	Brighton	2 – 0 (Loss)	Premier League	13 Dec 2025
Brighton	West Ham	1 – 1 (Draw)	Premier League	7 Dec 2025
Brighton	Aston Villa	3 – 4 (Loss)	Premier League	3 Dec 2025

Recent Form:
Brighton’s attacking efforts have been modest, with an average of 1.00 goals scored per match over their last five games. Defensively, they have conceded an average of 1.80 goals per game, highlighting vulnerabilities at the back. Their inability to maintain clean sheets, with only one in five matches, further underscores their defensive challenges.

Brighton’s away performance has been notably poorer, with just one win in their last five away fixtures, showing a win ratio of 0.20. They have also struggled to keep the opposition at bay, conceding in 80% of these matches. Currently positioned 13th in the league with 24 points, Brighton need to improve both offensively and defensively to climb the standings.

• LDLDL

Brighton Suspensions & Injuries

Brighton will face West Ham without several key players due to injuries and suspensions, which could significantly impact their performance. Joël Veltman is sidelined with an illness, and his absence may affect Brighton’s defensive solidity. Adam Webster and Solly March are also out with knee injuries, expected to return in early January 2026, leaving a gap in both their defensive and attacking options. The absence of Stefanos Tzimas with a long-term cruciate ligament injury further limits their depth.

Player	Suspension	Matches Remaining	Expected Return
Carlos Baleba	International duty	1	Unknown

The suspension of Carlos Baleba, who is serving a ban due to national team commitments, means Brighton must adjust their midfield setup. With one match remaining on his suspension, the team will look to Yasin Ayari and Diego Gómez to step up in his absence and maintain midfield stability.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Joël Veltman	Illness	In a few days
Adam Webster	Knee injury	Early January 2026
Solly March	Knee injury	Early January 2026
Stefanos Tzimas	Cruciate ligament injury	Early August 2026

Tactically, Brighton may need to adapt their 3-4-2-1 formation to compensate for these absences. The reliance on Lewis Dunk to lead the defence is heightened, while the midfield will need to be more cohesive to support the attacking efforts of Georginio Rutter and Brajan Gruda. These unavailabilities could influence betting markets, as Brighton’s depth and cohesion face a stern test.

Brighton Key Players

Brighton’s attack will be spearheaded by Danny Welbeck, the team’s top scorer with 7 goals this season. Welbeck’s clinical finishing and intelligent positioning make him a constant threat in the opposition’s penalty area. His experience and knack for finding space could be vital in breaking down West Ham’s defence. In midfield, Yasin Ayari’s creative playmaking abilities are expected to be pivotal. His vision and passing range allow him to orchestrate the game from deep, setting up scoring opportunities for his teammates. Additionally, Ferdi Kadıoğlu’s versatility on the wings provides Brighton with an attacking edge, capable of both delivering crosses and cutting inside to take shots.

Defensively, Lewis Dunk’s leadership and experience will be crucial in organising the backline. His aerial ability and tackling prowess will be key to repelling West Ham’s attacking threats. The presence of Bart Verbruggen in goal, known for his shot-stopping skills, adds another layer of security to the defence. These players’ contributions will shape Brighton’s tactical approach, with a focus on maintaining a solid defensive structure while exploiting quick transitions in attack.

Expected lineup for Brighton:

• Goalkeeper: Bart Verbruggen
• Defence: Diego Coppola, Jan Paul van Hecke, Lewis Dunk
• Midfield: Ferdi Kadıoğlu, Yasin Ayari, Maxim De Cuyper, Diego Gómez, Jack Hinshelwood, Brajan Gruda
• Forward: Georginio Rutter

Brighton Tactics and Formation

Brighton Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Key Forward: Georginio Rutter
• Midfield Pivot: Yasin Ayari and Diego Gómez
• Defensive Strength: Consistent back three with Lewis Dunk as a key leader
• Notable Strategy: Emphasis on wing play and quick transitions.

Brighton’s 3-4-2-1 formation allows them to leverage width and exploit space through wing-backs Ferdi Kadıoğlu and Maxim De Cuyper. The midfield pairing of Yasin Ayari and Diego Gómez is crucial in maintaining possession and launching attacks, providing a balance between defensive cover and forward momentum.

Defensively, the back three of Diego Coppola, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Lewis Dunk are tasked with maintaining shape and resilience. Dunk’s leadership is vital, especially with injuries to key players like Adam Webster. Despite recent struggles, their defensive setup aims to minimise gaps and prevent easy chances, although they have managed only one clean sheet in the last five matches.

Offensively, Brighton focus on quick transitions, often looking to release Georginio Rutter in advanced positions. The absence of Solly March might limit their creativity on the flanks, but the team’s strategy remains to capitalise on counter-attacks and set-pieces, areas where they can exploit opposition weaknesses.

West Ham vs Brighton Head-to-Head Record

In their 22 head-to-head clashes, Brighton have the upper hand with 8 wins compared to West Ham’s 4, while 10 matches have ended in a draw. The last meeting saw a 1-1 draw at Brighton’s ground earlier this month in the Premier League. Historically, Brighton have been a tough opponent for West Ham, especially in league fixtures.

The last time West Ham hosted Brighton at the London Stadium, it ended in a 1-1 draw back in December 2024. West Ham will be eager to turn their home advantage into a win this time around, but given the tight nature of recent encounters, another close contest could be on the cards.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Brighton & Hove Albion	West Ham United	1 – 1	Premier League	2025-12-07
Brighton & Hove Albion	West Ham United	3 – 2	Premier League	2025-04-26
West Ham United	Brighton & Hove Albion	1 – 1	Premier League	2024-12-21
West Ham United	Brighton & Hove Albion	0 – 0	Premier League	2024-01-02
Brighton & Hove Albion	West Ham United	1 – 3	Premier League	2023-08-26