BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION are setting the early pace in the Premier League table and they will be hoping to maintain their place at the summit when they welcome West Ham United to the Amex Stadium on Saturday evening.
After defying the odds en-route to securing a top-six finish last season, the Seagulls have picked up where they left off by pocketing six points from their opening two league games of the new campaign.
Roberto De Zerbi's swashbuckling side made light work of Luton Town in their curtain-raiser before dishing out a 4-1 mauling to Wolves at Molineux last weekend.
Back on home turf this weekend, Brighton will be looking to continue their blistering start to the season with a win against West Ham United.
After ending their 50-year trophy drought via last season's Europa Conference League triumph, there was an air of discontent around the London Stadium during pre-season due to uncertainty surrounding David Moyes' future along with a notable lack of transfer activity.
However, a 1-1 draw Bournemouth on the opening day of the season coupled with a 3-1 over Chelsea last weekend has certainly lifted the mood music in east London ahead of this weekend's trip to the south coast.
Outright Betting
Brighton & Hove Albion, who have lost just one of their last nine Premier League home games, are short-priced 1/2 (Bet 365) favourites to make it three league wins on the bounce.
West Ham United have fallen to defeat in each of their last three meetings with Brighton and bookies odds imply it will be more of the same this weekend, with the Hammers 5/1 (Betfred) outsiders while the draw has been chalked up at 15/4 (Bet 365)
Betting Angles
Brighton are too short to side with here at the above-mentioned price but can get some 43/50 (Bet 365) by backing the Seagulls to overcome a -1 hurdle on the Asian Handicap.
This selection means if the hosts prevail by two or more goals we will be paid out, if they win by a solitary strike then stakes are returned, and that looks like a nice angle of attack given how impressive Brighton have been under Roberto De Zerbi's tutorship.
Since the Italian took the reins at the Amex, the Seagulls have scored at least two goals in 15 of their 26 Premier League assignments, racking up 3+ strikes in a noteworthy 10 of those tussles.
Such attacking intensity doesn't bode well for a West Ham side, who despite their own positive start to the season, continue to look susceptible at the back.
Not only have the Hammers conceded in each of their two outings this term to date, but they have failed to shut out their opponents in 17 of their last 20 top-flight road trips, pocketing a pitiful 13 points in the process.
With all that in mind, backing free-scoring Brighton to overcome a -1 start on the Asian Handicap at 43/50 (Bet 365) seems like a sensible solution on the south coast on Saturday evening.
Elsewhere, I'll also dip into the player card market and have a small play on Brighton's James Milner to pick up a card at 7/2 (Bet 365).
The former Liverpool man – who has started the season at right-back for the Seagulls – has been no stranger to Premier League referees' notebooks over the years, not to mention he tackled his way into trouble against Wolves last time out.
This English Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United will be played on Aug 26, 2023 and kick off at 17:30. Check below for our tipsters best Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.