By new blogger James H
The Hammers have an immediate chance to rectify that poor start against Brighton at the Amex Stadium against confident Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Albion pulled the trigger on the Chris Houghton regime over the summer and ushered in a new era with the arrival of Graham Potter. The former Swansea and Ostersund coach has been renowned for his style of play, and that produced immediate benefits on the opening day.
Haller – looking for a first goal
Brighton ran out 3-0 winners over Watford with a wonderful display. An Abdoulaye Doucoure own goal set them on their way, before second-half strikes from Florin Andone and debut boy Neal Maupay.
The Seagulls have strengthened smartly over the summer with the arrivals of Maupay, Leandro Trossard and Adam Webster, but the Hammers should be confident that they can get all three points at the Amex.
Hammers Recent Record Against Brighton
Both sides have been evenly matched when they have come up against each other each having won on 18 occasions; while there have been 15 draws. However, the Premier League era has seen a dominant period for the Seagulls. Brighton are unbeaten in the four top-flight fixtures between the pair.
The only occasion that the Hammers have come away with a point came in last season’s 2-2 draw at the London Stadium. In fact, West Ham haven’t won away at Brighton in any of their top-flight meetings – something for which all our fingers will be crossed this weekend.
West Ham Team News
Mark Noble will be missing again for the Hammers as he recovers from a leg injury picked up in pre-season. Meanwhile, Felipe Anderson is a slight concern but should be fit.
Brighton Team News
The Seagulls will be without Yves Bissmouma and Jose Izquierdo who both picked up injuries during pre-season.
Brighton vs West Ham Prediction
The defeat at the hands of Manchester City can be quickly eradicated from memory when the Hammers win at the Amex.
The recent record isn’t the best from a West Ham point of view, but these records have to be broken at some point, and a Sebastian Haller goal in a comfortable win for the travelling side would be the perfect afternoon on the coast for West Ham.
While it may appear to be disappointing result against the current champions to start the season, there was more than enough positives for Manuel Pellegrini and his side to build on.
Sebastian Haller looked a handful for the City defenders throughout the game, and a first goal for the big striker only seems a matter of time. Meanwhile, Pablo Fornals got some valuable minutes under his belt, and he showed glimpses of the influential player he could be for the Hammers.
Fornals looked to bounce off Haller at any given opportunity, and while it didn’t reap the rewards against Pep Guardiola’s side, that doesn’t mean it won’t work against teams that the Hammers are expected to beat this season.
City are the best team in the country, and West Ham held their own for 45 minutes and put for a fortunate ricochet of Gabriel Jesus the Hammers would have gone into the break level. The second half was a completely different story as the Citizens pressed home their dominance, and while VAR may have played a part in Sergio Aguero’s penalty, the remainder of the goals West Ham could do little about.
Early season form has been a problem for City in each of the last four seasons, with the club unable to win a single opening match. However, Brighton is a different proposition.
Pellegrini would have also been pleased with the fitness of Jack Wilshere. The midfielder has endured his share of well-documented setbacks, but there is a sense that this season could be the one where he finally reaches a consistent level of performance.
Hammers fans will be hoping so because a holding midfield pairing of Wilshere and Declan Rice is a solid foundation to allow the attacking players to do what they do best. There is still hope that the Hammers can achieve something this season, and we can’t be too disappointed by a heavy defeat against the team that are likely to win the Premier League again at a canter.
I do other think Wilshere is quick enough for this league so do not think our midfield will be able to stop Brighton scoring, Pellegrini needs to get a aggressive midfielder who can break up the oppositions attacks then we can go forward with our attack. I will. Be happy with a draw cannot see us winning untill Pelle sorts out the midfield.
I do not think Wilshere is quick enough for this league so do not think our midfield will be able to stop Brighton scoring, Pellegrini needs to get a aggressive midfielder who can break up the oppositions attacks then we can go forward with our attack. I will. Be happy with a draw cannot see us winning untill Pelle sorts out the midfield.