West Ham will look to continue their recent upturn in form on Sunday afternoon as they travel to the AMEX to take on inconsistent Brighton.
After a dreadful start to the campaign in which they picked up just four points from their opening nine Premier League contests, West Ham went on to take seven points from their next three matches to move themselves outside of the relegation zone.
However, the Hammers were beaten 0-2 at home by reigning champions Liverpool last Sunday, but did come from behind to rescue a point at Old Trafford, drawing 1-1 with Manchester United on Thursday night.
Despite that point, Nuno’s men have slipped into the relegation zone, two points adrift of Leeds United, who sit right above the dotted line.
Brighton saw their four-match unbeaten run come to an end on Wednesday night, as they threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-4 at home to third-placed Aston Villa.
That was also the Seagulls’ first defeat at home in the Premier League this season, with Fabian Hurzeler’s men having initially won four and drawn two of their opening six league outings at the AMEX.
How the bookies view it: Brighton favourites
Brighton are favourites to return to winning ways on Sunday afternoon following their midweek defeat to Aston Villa, with bet365 pricing a home success at 11/20.
Bet365 have priced West Ham at 19/4 to end their three-match winless run, whilst the draw is 10/3.
Head to head: The Seagulls appear to be West Ham’s bogey team
Since Brighton’s promotion to the Premier League in 2017/18, Brighton have been a bogey side for West Ham, with the Hammers winning just one of their 16 meetings (W1-D8-L7).
Players to watch: Danny to deliver again?
Danny Welbeck has been enjoying another fine season for Brighton, as he has scored seven goals across his 14 Premier League appearances this campaign.
Four of those goals have been scored in Brighton’s last four matches at the AMEX, and I like the 21/20 on offer at bet365 for the ex-Manchester United and Arsenal forward to get on the scoresheet on Sunday.
Predicted line-ups:
Brighton will be missing Adam Webster, James Milner, Solly March and Stefanos Tzimas due to injury, whilst Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter are doubts.
Lucas Paqueta will be available for West Ham after serving a suspension against Manchester United following his silly red card against Liverpool last weekend, but Crysencio Summerville is still a doubt, and Ollie Scarles and Igor Julio are unavailable.
Brighton & Hove Albion: Verbruggen, Wieffer, van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu, Baleba, Gomez, Minteh, Gruda, De Cuyper, Tzimas
West Ham United: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Todibo, Diouf, Magassa, Potts, Bowen, Paqueta, Fernandes, Wilson
Anything else catch the eye?
Brighton’s opening seven Premier League fixtures at the AMEX this term have averaged an eye-catching 3.57 goals per game, with Both Teams to Score banking in six (86%) of them, whilst each of the last six have gone Over 2.5 Goals.
The Hammers’ last six Premier League outings have averaged 3.33 goals per game, with Both Teams to Score landing in five (83%) of them – only failing to score last weekend at home to reigning champions Liverpool – whilst Over 2.5 Goals has landed on four occasions.
Brighton edged a five-goal thriller in this fixture last season, and given both sides’ records at both ends of the pitch, I expect to see more goals on Sunday.
Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals pays 21/20 at BOYLE Sports, which appeals to me here.
Interested in why both teams scoring is such a strong angle? Check out our Masterclass on BTTS and sharpen your match-reading game.
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