West Ham and Brighton head into this Premier League clash desperate to end frustrating runs, with neither side having secured a league victory in December. For West Ham, the situation is growing increasingly tense as results continue to go against them, while Brighton arrive in east London hoping to rediscover the form that once had them flirting with the European places earlier in the season, Softfootball reports.
The Hammers’ struggles deepened further at the weekend with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Fulham, extending their winless league run to seven matches. That result also marked their third consecutive league loss, following a heavy 3-0 defeat to Manchester City last week, leaving them hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone.
New manager Nuno Espírito Santo is already under serious pressure, having won just two of his 13 games in charge, and the London Stadium has offered little comfort. West Ham have now lost three straight home league matches and are edging towards an unwanted club record, having already suffered 11 home league defeats in the 2025 calendar year.
Brighton, meanwhile, have endured a sharp downturn in form after a promising spell earlier in the campaign. A 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal at the weekend made it five league matches without a win for the Seagulls , a run that has seen them slide from fifth place into the bottom half of the table.
Fabian Hürzeler’s side can point to the difficulty of recent opponents as a mitigating factor, but patience is beginning to wear thin as consistency continues to elude them. This fixture offers a chance to steady the ship, though Brighton’s end-of-year record suggests it may not be straightforward.
Team News
West Ham continue to juggle absences, with El Hadji Malick Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka still away on international duty. Their squad depth is being tested at a crucial time, especially with form already fragile and defensive lapses proving costly.
Meanwhile, Speaking ahead of the game Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler via the team’s official X handle, talked about his team’s preparation and how important this match is to the fans and players. They posted:
Brighton are also missing key personnel, with midfielder Carlos Baleba remaining on international duty. Despite that, the Seagulls still boast a settled core and will look to lean on their attacking depth, particularly in the second half where they’ve been most productive away from home.
Possible Lineups
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Areola; Walker-Peters, Todibo, Kilman, Scarles; Soucek, Potts, M. Fernandes; Paqueta, Summerville; Bowen
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Coppola, Van Hecke, Dunk; Kadioglu, Ayari, Hinshelwood, De Cuyper; Minteh, Welbeck, Gomez
SoftFootball Prediction
With both sides struggling for momentum, this contest feels finely balanced. West Ham’s recent defensive issues and Brighton’s strong second-half scoring record away from home could tilt the game late on. Expect a competitive encounter, but Brighton’s ability to grow into matches may give them the edge.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Brighton
