Match Overview
Brighton & Hove Albion welcome West Ham United to the American Express Stadium for a Premier League clash that pairs Brighton’s strong home run with West Ham’s goal-scoring away habits. The hosts edged a 3-2 thriller in their previous league meeting back in April, and recent signs point to another competitive encounter. Brighton have been efficient at the Amex, while West Ham have created chances on the road despite mixed results. Both sides enter with clear focal points in attack and defined tactical identities.
- Fixture: Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United
- Competition: Premier League
- Venue: American Express Stadium (Falmer, East Sussex)
- Date: 07-12-2025
- Kickoff: 14:00 GMT / 14:00 UTC
Predicted Lineups
Brighton & Hove Albion
- B. Verbruggen
- J. van Hecke
- L. Dunk
- F. Kadioglu
- M. De Cuyper
- Y. Ayari
- D. Gómez
- M. Wieffer
- C. Baleba
- Y. Minteh
- D. Welbeck
West Ham United
- A. Areola
- E. Diouf
- J. Todibo
- A. Wan-Bissaka
- M. Kilman
- Lucas Paqueta
- Mateus Fernandes
- F. Potts
- T. Soucek
- J. Bowen
- C. Wilson
Injury & Suspension Report
Brighton & Hove Albion
- K. Mitoma – Ankle Injury
- G. Rutter – Head Injury
- Y. Ayari – Injury
- S. Tzimas – Knee Injury
- A. Webster – Knee Injury
- S. March – Knee Injury
- J. Milner – Muscle Injury
West Ham United
- C. Summerville – Knock
- L. Fabianski – Back Injury
- Igor – Loan agreement
- O. Scarles – Shoulder Injury
Head-to-Head
Recent meetings have produced goals, with close to three per game across the last nine clashes. Across 25 prior contests, Brighton have 10 wins, West Ham have 5, and there have been 10 draws. Brighton also edged the most recent league encounter 3-2, underlining how fine the margins often are between these sides.
Match Analysis & Prediction
Brighton’s home form sets the tone. Four wins and a draw in their last five at the Amex, with 11 goals scored, highlights how well their high press and patient buildup are functioning. The combination play down the flanks and the timing of runs from deeper positions, as seen with M. De Cuyper’s decisive contribution in a recent 2-0 home win, have been key features. Expect Brighton to control phases through midfield, circulate possession, and look for vertical passes once West Ham’s block shifts.
West Ham arrive with mixed away results, having dropped points in four of their last five road matches. Even so, they have carried threat, scoring seven times in that span. Their approach against similarly placed opponents has been assertive, yielding two wins and one defeat with a goals-for rate above two, though a 2-0 loss at Liverpool underlined their defensive vulnerability when stretched. The balance between compactness without the ball and transition speed will be crucial for them here.
Welbeck’s sharp finishing at the Amex
Danny Welbeck’s output is a clear focal point for Brighton. He has seven goals this season, including four in his last three home games, reflecting sharp movement and clinical touches inside the box. With Brighton’s structure designed to create cut-backs and second-phase chances, Welbeck’s positioning and timing should continue to be pivotal.
Callum Wilson’s scoring streak on the road
Callum Wilson has scored three in his last three appearances and remains West Ham’s most direct penalty-box outlet. With service from Lucas Paqueta and the industry of T. Soucek, plus J. Bowen’s threat from wide, West Ham can generate good-quality opportunities if they transition quickly and attack the space behind Brighton’s advanced full-backs.
Brighton vs West Ham: tactical outlook
Brighton will likely seek territorial control, compressing play and using midfield rotations to pin West Ham deep before releasing runners into the area. West Ham’s path lies in disciplined defending and quick counters, aiming to exploit turnovers when Brighton commit numbers forward. Given the recent 3-2 in Brighton’s favour and the historic trend of goals in this matchup, momentum may again hinge on who finishes better in transition moments.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 West Ham United.