Match Overview

West Ham United welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the London Stadium as both sides look to close out the year with a valuable Premier League result. Their last meeting on 7 December finished 1-1, hinting at another balanced contest. West Ham have shown reasonable home resilience, while Brighton seek improvement after a run of mixed away displays. Fine margins and efficiency in both boxes are likely to decide this one.

• Fixture: West Ham United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
• Competition: Premier League
• Venue: London Stadium
• Date: 30-12-2025
• Kickoff: 19:30 GMT / 19:30 UTC

Predicted Lineups

West Ham United

• A. Areola
• M. Kilman
• J. Todibo
• E. Diouf
• K. Walker-Peters
• Mateus Fernandes
• Lucas Paqueta
• F. Potts
• S. Magassa
• J. Bowen
• C. Summerville

Brighton & Hove Albion

• B. Verbruggen
• F. Kadioglu
• M. De Cuyper
• J. van Hecke
• L. Dunk
• Y. Ayari
• C. Baleba
• D. Gómez
• J. Hinshelwood
• Y. Minteh
• G. Rutter

Injury & Suspension Report

West Ham United

• N. Füllkrug – Thigh Injury
• L. Fabianski – Back Injury
• A. Wan-Bissaka – International duty
• E. Diouf – International duty

Brighton & Hove Albion

• C. Baleba – International duty
• S. Tzimas – Knee Injury
• A. Webster – Knee Injury
• S. March – Knee Injury

Head-to-Head

Recent meetings have been tight, averaging just under three goals across the last 10 encounters. Over 26 matches, West Ham have five wins, Brighton 10, with 11 draws between them. The trend points to competitive, often balanced fixtures where small details matter.

Match Analysis & Prediction

West Ham’s home edge and attacking outlets

West Ham’s recent home form shows a steady platform, with two wins in their last five at the London Stadium and an attacking output above 1.5 goals per game. Their approach blends direct play with periods of controlled buildup, which has troubled comparable opposition. Jarrod Bowen remains pivotal with five league goals, and his movement will be key alongside C. Summerville against a Brighton back line anchored by Lewis Dunk. Defensive structure can be tested, as highlighted by a heavy defeat away to Manchester City, but the home environment usually sharpens their tempo.

Brighton’s away form and goal threat

Brighton arrive with a patchy away record, taking one draw and three defeats in their last five away outings and scoring four in that span. A recent 0-0 at Sunderland showed they can control phases but struggle to convert away chances. D. Gómez has five away goals this season and will be central to Brighton’s threat from midfield, supported by J. Hinshelwood’s runs and the pace of Y. Minteh and G. Rutter in advanced areas. The visitors need cleaner final-third decisions to change their away trend.

Midfield balance and control

The midfield dynamics could decide the rhythm. For West Ham, Lucas Paqueta’s passing range alongside Mateus Fernandes offers progression, while S. Magassa and F. Potts can stabilize transitions. Brighton’s structure hinges on C. Baleba’s physical presence and D. Gómez’s forward surges, with Y. Ayari linking lines. If West Ham press with cohesion, they can disrupt Brighton’s build; if Brighton manage clean exits, they can expose spaces between West Ham’s lines.

Key moments and likely pattern

Given the 1-1 draw earlier this month and the overall H2H balance, another close contest is likely. West Ham have a slight edge at home with more consistent scoring, but Brighton carry enough pace and secondary threats to respond if they find transitions. Set pieces could be influential, particularly with Dunk’s aerial presence and Bowen’s delivery. Expect phases of territorial pressure from West Ham and selective counter-attacks from Brighton.

Prediction: West Ham United 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion.