Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the English Premier League match.
Brighton have been on a downward spiral, plummeting from a Champions League spot to ninth place after three consecutive defeats. Now, they face a trip to the London Stadium, where West Ham United rarely bow to opponents, and even fewer from the elite of the Premier League.
West Ham United
West Ham's last home defeat came against Arsenal (2:5) at the end of November. This was followed by a victory over Wolverhampton (2:1), with Jarrod Bowen scoring and providing an assist. The captain and standout player has been pivotal for the team, leading in both goals and assists (4+4). When he scores, West Ham usually triumph, making him indispensable. In round 16, he was unfortunate to hit the woodwork as they drew away at Bournemouth (1:1).
Brighton
Brighton suffered their first home defeat of the season at the AMEX against Crystal Palace (1:3), a team languishing at the bottom of the table. The result reflected the numbers (1.00–2.31 in xG, 1 to 5 goal opportunities) and their sluggish performance resulted in conceding goals. As a result, Brighton have gone four games without a win, with two draws and two losses.
West Ham United vs Brighton Prediction
The home side will be just as motivated as Crystal Palace were, given their current standing, well below their true potential and financial capabilities (14th place). Therefore, they should at least aim for a draw.
