There are many reasons to tip the Hammers to beat Brighton at the London Stadium but Paul Merson may have found the best one of all.
Now I know pundits are far from everybody’s cup of team but the former Gooder’s observation on Brighton’s away form seems insightful.
The Seagulls have been beaten by the likes of Bournemouth, Burnley, Cardiff and Everton away from the Withdean although east ender manager Chris Hughton always like to put it across his old team.
However, even with a thin squad available Pellegrini will be looking for a totally different performance to the one we saw on the south coast back in October when we simply didn’t show up in the first half.
And there can be little doubt that the boss will be reminding them of that result where of course we lost by a Glenn Murray goal during a very disjointed performance.
Says Merse on Sky Sports: “West Hams results are the problem with mid table teams – consistency. The manager will be tearing his hair out. They are flying along and get beaten by Watford.
“Then they come from behind against Southampton and they lose at Burnley – it’s the consistency level. I think they will win here – Brighton aren’t the same team away.”