England Premier League
Saturday 15th May 2021
Kick off at 8pm BST
Venue: Amex Stadium
Match Preview:
Brighton are safe after a season where they flirted with relegation and they will be trying to get to the 40 point marker with victory at the weekend. Though form isn’t great for the Seagulls and they come into this match having lost 2 of their last 3 games.
Last weekend it was loss number 14 as they failed to beat Wolves and they could lose their position to Southampton. But at the end of the day the tension has been put out as the relegation has been sorted so that is the good news for the club, who probably would have got together to celebrate this week. Survival for a club like Brighton will feel like some sort of achievement. This will be a tough game for Graham Potter’s side who at home have the 4th worst record in the league however recent form has been very good and they are unbeaten in their last 3 games. There have been wins against Leeds and Newcastle and they drew against Everton. Indeed what is encouraging for the Seagulls at home is that they haven’t conceded for their last 3 games. You’d have to go back two months for the last time that happened.
West Ham look like their dream of Champions League football is almost over. Their form has really dipped lately and that was underlined last weekend when they lost 1-0 at home to Everton. It can be accepted to lose games of course but the way the Hammers lost would have disappointed manager David Moyes. At home trying to reach the objective of a top four spot the club did not have a single shot on target against Everton which is simply not good enough.
Whilst the Hammers have had a strong record at home overall on the road they would be in 9th position and have lost 3 of their last five games. However Moyes’ side did win their last away game which came against Burnley.
Team News:
Brighton: Florin Andone has a lack of match fitness and could be assessed for this game but he has been missing for several weeks. Adam Lallana has been pencilled in to return for this game after his calf injury but is only 50/50 to do so. Lewis Dunk is suspended for 2 games after his red card last weekend. Neal Maupay is suspended for 2 games also for his sending off and misses this game. Joel Veltman is only 50/50 to recover from his calf injury and remains a doubt.
West Ham: Declan Rice could return for this game after his knee injury and will be assessed. Aaron Cresswell has suffered a dead leg he is being tipped to be fine but will be assessed. Manuel Lanzini has a slight thigh strain and will need to be assessed. Mark Noble could miss out through a calf strain. Angelo Ogbonna has a hamstring it isn’t thought to be serious but he is touch and go for this game.
Brighton vs West Ham Head to Head:
The last 4 meetings have all ended in draws.
Last season this fixture finished 1-1.
It’s been 8 games since West Ham beat Brighton in any competition.
Brighton vs West Ham Prediction:
It’s the last chance saloon for West Ham if they have aspirations of finishing in the top four. The problem for both sides is they come into this game with some key injuries but still the Hammers will have the stronger side.
This is make or break and Brighton isn’t the easiest ground to go to, West Ham know all about that as they haven’t won away to the Seagulls for 10 years. The market is open so there is value to be had, in truth this is a match that really can go either way.
The smart money though may just be on backing the home side, Brighton have zero pressure on them and can enjoy their football. West Ham have cracked a little under pressure in recent games. They will have to have a perfect game for their system to come out with the win and Brighton will make that as difficult as possible. However with both main strikers out for the home side you wonder where the goals will come from, so we will be backing the Hammers to stay in the running for now.
Brighton vs West Ham Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (0.0 West Ham) at 1.675
Anytime goalscorer: Jesse Lingard at 2.30
Goal line (Over 2) at 1.50
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