Brighton vs West Ham Prediction, Match Preview, 7 December

Brighton will host West Ham at the American Express Community Stadium on Sunday, 7 December, in a Premier League clash that promises to be intriguing. Both teams have displayed varying forms this season, making this fixture particularly significant as they vie for crucial points in the league standings. Brighton, playing at home, will be looking to capitalise on their familiar surroundings to gain an edge over their opponents.

West Ham, on the other hand, will aim to overcome the away challenge and secure a valuable victory on the road. The Premier League has been unpredictable this season, and this encounter is no exception, with both teams eager to improve their positions. The American Express Community Stadium will be the stage for what could be a pivotal game in the context of the league, as Brighton and West Ham face off in this highly anticipated fixture.

Brighton vs West Ham Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Brighton & Hove Albion to Win	2.1

Brighton have shown good form at home, especially against West Ham, winning three of their last five encounters. With West Ham’s defensive vulnerabilities and key injuries, Brighton at odds of around 2.10 for a home win offers solid value.

• Brighton’s solid home form and historical head-to-head advantage give them the upper hand.
• West Ham’s defensive frailties and key injuries to Crysencio Summerville and Oliver Scarles weaken their lineup.
• Danny Welbeck’s recent scoring run and Brighton’s attacking style under Fabian Hürzeler make them strong contenders for a home win.

Betting Odds

Brighton are stepping onto their home turf as clear favourites with odds of 1.55, reflecting their strong form at the American Express Community Stadium. However, West Ham, priced at 5.57, could offer a tempting underdog bet for those believing in an upset.

Betting Tip	Odds
Brighton to win	1.55
Draw	4.31
West Ham to win	5.57

The draw is priced at 4.31, which might attract punters expecting a closely contested match. Given both teams’ recent performances, betting on over 2.5 goals could be a savvy move, considering the attacking quality on display.

Brighton Analysis & Past Performance

Brighton have demonstrated mostly positive recent form, securing three wins in their last five matches while suffering just one defeat. Their recent performances have included a notable victory against Brentford (2-1) and a commanding win over Leeds (3-0). However, their latest home match ended in a narrow 3-4 loss to Aston Villa, highlighting some defensive vulnerabilities.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Brighton	Aston Villa	3 – 4 (Loss)	Premier League	3 Dec 2025
Nottingham Forest	Brighton	0 – 2 (Win)	Premier League	30 Nov 2025
Brighton	Brentford	2 – 1 (Win)	Premier League	22 Nov 2025
Crystal Palace	Brighton	0 – 0 (Draw)	Premier League	9 Nov 2025
Brighton	Leeds	3 – 0 (Win)	Premier League	1 Nov 2025

Recent Form:
Brighton’s attack has been consistent, averaging 2.00 goals per game over their last five fixtures, with Danny Welbeck leading as the top scorer with 7 goals this season. Defensively, they have kept 3 clean sheets and conceded an average of 1.00 goals per game, indicating a relatively solid backline when focused.

Brighton have been particularly effective at home, winning 7 of their last 10 matches at the American Express Community Stadium, which contributes to their current standing of 7th in the Premier League with 22 points. Their ability to score in 8 of their last 10 games highlights their offensive prowess, while the need to tighten up defensively remains evident after conceding 14 goals in the same period.

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Brighton Suspensions & Injuries

Brighton face a challenging scenario with several key players sidelined due to injuries. Adam Webster’s knee injury means he will not be available until early January 2026, leaving a gap in defence that Jan Paul van Hecke will need to fill. Solly March, also dealing with a knee issue, is expected to miss out until late December, impacting Brighton’s options on the wing. Kaoru Mitoma’s foot injury status is marked as doubtful, which could disrupt the attacking flow, although Brajan Gruda may step up in his absence.

Midfield depth is also a concern with James Milner out with a muscle injury, not expected back until mid-December. This necessitates a reliance on younger talents like Carlos Baleba and Diego Gómez to maintain midfield dynamism. Tom Watson and Georginio Rutter are both doubtful, potentially affecting squad rotation and depth.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Joel Veltman	Illness	Few days
Adam Webster	Knee injury	Early January 2026
Solly March	Knee injury	Late December 2025
Kaoru Mitoma	Foot injury	Doubtful
James Milner	Muscle injury	Mid December 2025
Tom Watson	Fitness issue	Doubtful
Georginio Rutter	Head injury	Doubtful
Stefanos Tzimas	Knee injury	Unknown
Yasin Ayari	Knock	Doubtful

Brighton’s tactical setup might see adjustments to compensate for these absences, possibly reinforcing the midfield to cover defensive vulnerabilities and ensuring a balanced approach against West Ham. The betting markets might reflect these challenges, potentially affecting odds given the team’s current injury woes.

Brighton Key Players

Brighton will rely heavily on Danny Welbeck, their top scorer with 7 goals, to spearhead their attack against West Ham. Welbeck’s experience and knack for finding the net make him a constant threat in the forward line. His ability to navigate tight spaces and capitalise on defensive errors will be pivotal. Supporting him in midfield, Carlos Baleba and Diego Gómez are expected to provide both creativity and stability. Baleba’s vision and passing range, combined with Gómez’s defensive tenacity, form a core part of Brighton’s tactical setup.

In defence, Lewis Dunk’s leadership and aerial prowess are crucial for maintaining Brighton’s defensive solidity. Alongside him, Jan Paul van Hecke’s agility and tackling ability will be vital in containing West Ham’s forwards. The combination of Dunk’s experience and van Hecke’s dynamism is a strength that Brighton will look to exploit. Overall, these key players will shape Brighton’s tactical approach, focusing on solid defence and quick transitions to support Welbeck up front.

Expected lineup for Brighton

• Goalkeeper: Bart Verbruggen
• Defence: Mats Wieffer, Jan Paul van Hecke, Lewis Dunk, Ferdi Kadioglu
• Midfield: Carlos Baleba, Yankuba Minteh, Maxim De Cuyper, Diego Gómez, Brajan Gruda
• Forward: Danny Welbeck

Brighton Tactics and Formation

Brighton Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Danny Welbeck
• Midfield Pivot: Carlos Baleba and Yankuba Minteh
• Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last five matches
• Notable Strategy: Utilises width with overlapping full-backs and quick transitions.

Brighton adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation under Fabian Hürzeler, providing a balanced approach between defence and attack. The midfield pairing of Carlos Baleba and Yankuba Minteh is pivotal, offering a blend of defensive cover and creative playmaking. This setup allows Brighton to maintain possession effectively, as evidenced by their 56% possession against Aston Villa.

Defensively, the backline led by Lewis Dunk is key to Brighton’s strategy, boasting three clean sheets in their last five games. The full-backs, Mats Wieffer and Ferdi Kadioglu, are crucial for providing width, supporting both defensive efforts and offensive overlaps, which are integral to their tactical setup.

Offensively, Brighton rely on Danny Welbeck’s experience and goal-scoring prowess, having netted seven goals this season. The team’s strategy often involves quick transitions and exploiting the flanks, supported by versatile midfielders like Diego Gómez and Brajan Gruda, enhancing their attacking options.

West Ham Analysis & Past Performance

West Ham’s recent form has been mixed, with two wins, two draws, and one loss in their last five fixtures. Notable results include a 3-1 victory over Newcastle and a 3-2 win against Burnley, showcasing their attacking prowess, but they struggled in a 0-2 defeat to Liverpool.

Home Side	Away Side	Result	League	Date
Manchester United	West Ham	1 – 1 (Draw)	Premier League	4 Dec 2025
West Ham	Liverpool	0 – 2 (Loss)	Premier League	30 Nov 2025
Bournemouth	West Ham	2 – 2 (Draw)	Premier League	22 Nov 2025
West Ham	Burnley	3 – 2 (Win)	Premier League	8 Nov 2025
West Ham	Newcastle	3 – 1 (Win)	Premier League	2 Nov 2025

Recent Form:

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In their last five matches, West Ham have averaged 1.80 goals per game, while conceding 1.60. Their defence has been less stable, failing to keep any clean sheets in this period, which is a concern against stronger opponents. Away from home, their performance has dipped, with no wins in the last five away matches, resulting in three draws and two losses.

West Ham Suspensions & Injuries

West Ham face a couple of injury concerns that could influence their tactical setup against Brighton. Oliver Scarles is sidelined with a shoulder injury, expected to return in late December, while Crysencio Summerville is dealing with a knock, with a potential return in mid-December. The absence of Scarles, primarily a squad player, may not drastically alter the starting lineup given the depth available. However, Summerville’s injury might slightly impact the attacking options off the bench.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Oliver Scarles	Shoulder injury	Late December 2025
Crysencio Summerville	Knock injury	Mid December 2025

With these injuries, Nuno Espírito Santo may look to rely on the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson to carry the offensive burden in attack. The starting lineup remains largely unaffected in key areas such as defence and midfield, allowing West Ham to maintain their typical 4-2-3-1 formation.

The tactical impact of these injuries is minimal given the current squad depth, but any further injuries could test West Ham’s resilience. The betting markets might see these absences as a slight disadvantage for West Ham, though their core lineup remains intact and capable of challenging Brighton.

West Ham Key Players

West Ham will be looking to their top scorer, Callum Wilson, who has netted 4 goals this season, to spearhead their attack against Brighton. Wilson’s ability to find space and exploit defensive weaknesses will be crucial in breaking down Brighton’s back line. His striking prowess is complemented by Jarrod Bowen, whose role in midfield provides both creativity and a goal-scoring threat, making him an essential playmaker. Bowen’s dynamic runs and ability to link up play can significantly influence West Ham’s tactical approach, particularly in transitions.

In defence, the combination of Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos is expected to provide stability and resilience. Todibo’s tactical awareness and aerial ability, alongside Mavropanos’ robust tackling, form a formidable central defensive partnership. Soungoutou Magassa’s presence in midfield adds a layer of defensive solidity, allowing more freedom for attacking players to push forward.

Expected lineup for West Ham:

• Goalkeeper: Alphonse Areola
• Defence: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jean-Clair Todibo, Malick Diouf
• Midfield: Freddie Potts, Soungoutou Magassa, Jarrod Bowen, Mateus Fernandes, Tomas Soucek
• Forward: Callum Wilson

West Ham Tactics and Formation

West Ham Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Callum Wilson
• Midfield Pivot: Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa
• Defensive Concerns: No clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Reliance on structured defence and counter-attacks.

West Ham continue to adopt the 4-2-3-1 formation, offering a blend of defensive structure and attacking potential. The midfield pairing of Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa is pivotal, tasked with shielding the defence while facilitating transitions to attack. Jarrod Bowen and Mateus Fernandes provide width and creativity, crucial for breaking down opposition defences.

Defensively, the backline features Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Malick Diouf as full-backs, with Konstantinos Mavropanos and Jean-Clair Todibo central. Despite this setup, West Ham have struggled defensively, failing to secure any clean sheets in their last five outings, indicating vulnerabilities that Brighton may exploit.

Offensively, West Ham rely on Callum Wilson’s prowess in front of goal, supported by Tomas Soucek’s late runs into the box. Their strategy often involves structured defence leading to quick counter-attacks, though consistency in front of goal remains a challenge.

Brighton vs West Ham Head-to-Head Record

Brighton and West Ham have faced off 21 times, with Brighton winning 8 matches, West Ham taking 4, and 9 ending in draws. The last encounter was a thrilling 3-2 victory for Brighton away at the London Stadium in April 2025, showcasing their attacking prowess.

In the Premier League, Brighton have been particularly strong at home, as evidenced by their 4-0 triumph over West Ham at the Amex in March 2023. This fixture often sees goals, with Brighton netting 34 times compared to West Ham’s 30 in their head-to-head history.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
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
Brighton & Hove Albion	West Ham United	4 – 0	Premier League	2023-03-04