The Hammers‘ faithful trudge down to the south coast today more in hope than expectation: Apart from 2023’s flash in the pan 3-1 victory, West Ham don’t have an enviable recent record against the Seagulls.
However both sides come into the fixture in very poor form. Brighton haven’t won in five and the Hammers recent results are dismal with Potter managing just three wins in 13. The Hammers’ loan striker Evan Ferguson is ineligible to face his parent club but his Manager hasn’t started him in any case, so there’s little lost there.
The main item under discussion is how aggressive Potter will set up his West Ham side after their universal criticism for the tepid performance against bottom side Southampton last week.
3-5-2 seems to be the favoured away set up which means Niclas Fullkrug would sit on the bench for the first half as we all grit our teeth and endure a dismal 45 minutes, go behind and then -too late – start to play.
Our best guess for the starting eleven:
Areola | Todibo, Mavropanos, Kilman, | Wan Bissaka, Soucek, Paquetá, Soler , Scarles | Bowen, Kudus
Score predictions:
Martin 0-1 Away win
Matt 0-1 away win
Sean 2-2 draw
Gonzo (the only realist amongst us) 2-0 Brighton win
Don’t forget to check back in an hour for the starting eleven and at full time for Gonzo’s player ratings
Comfortable 3.0 win for the bum boys….
We might win the coin toss if we are lucky