Brighton return to the Amex on Sunday hoping to steady themselves after that strange 4-3 collapse to Aston Villa in midweek. They were cruising with a two-goal cushion but somehow lost control. Still, the Seagulls sit just behind the Champions League spots and know a win could push them back in the mix.
SoftFootball already highlighted how their wastefulness cost them in recent games, similar to the story from their 2-0 loss to Arsenal reported. Brighton will want none of that again.
West Ham arrive with less rest after drawing 1-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday, thanks to Soungoutou Magassa’s late corner finish, a moment analysed in detail on SoftFootbal. Nuno Espírito Santo’s team are still trapped in the relegation zone and have not beaten Brighton often.
In fact, the Amex has been a nightmare ground for them, with one win in sixteen Premier League meetings. Even the rare massive victories from Nuno’s past, like Forest’s 7-0 win over Brighton, don’t mean much here.
Brighton’s numbers are still solid at home. Six straight league matches scoring at least twice, and 17 second-half goals so far, though that doesn’t hide their defensive gaps.
Villa exposed them badly, and the injury to young striker Stefanos Tzimas makes things worse. Danny Welbeck, who has this odd habit of scoring late against West Ham, should return up front to add a bit of experience.
West Ham have problems too. Their defence has leaked 27 goals in 13 games, and they have conceded first in almost every match. But their young midfield three of Fernandes, Magassa and Potts are slowly coming together.
Nuno keeps repeating that the only way out of this mess is consistency, hard work and accepting the reality of the table. He also confirmed Lucas Paquetá returns to the XI straight away.
West Ham shared a video via their official X account featuring manager Nuno Espírito Santo praising the team’s very good performance in their 1-1 Premier League draw at Manchester United’s Old Trafford, emphasising resilience after conceding a strange goal and strong second-half control.
Watch the video below:
Team News
Brighton are still missing James Milner, Solly March and Adam Webster, while Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter remain doubts. Yasin Ayari should be back. Tzimas is out long-term with a knee issue.
West Ham miss Fabianski and Oliver Scarles, and Summerville is doubtful. Igor Julio cannot play against his parent club. Paquetá is available again.
Possible Lineups
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadioglu; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Gruda, De Cuyper; Welbeck.
West Ham (4-2-3-1): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Mavropanos, Diouf; Potts, Magassa; Bowen, Paqueta, Fernandes; Wilson.
SoftFootball’s Prediction
Brighton usually respond well after chaos, and with West Ham struggling away, a narrow home win feels likely.
Prediction: Brighton 2-1 West Ham
