Brighton and Hove Albion Match Preview

West Ham United scored first in both matches against Brighton and Hove Albion last season, only for the Seagulls to come back and frustrate them once again. What will happen when the two sides meet in Stratford this afternoon?

The Hammers are yet to get off the mark in the Premier League and will hope they can do it here after claiming a much-needed boost in their UEFA Europa Conference League Play-off on Thursday night.

The defeat against newly-promoted Nottingham Forest at The City Ground a week ago was hard to take for the East Londoners and they will be desperate to bounce back.

Having said that, Graham Potter’s men will want to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign after they produced a stunning 2-1 victory away at Manchester United on the opening weekend and then followed that up with a goalless draw at home to Newcastle United.

The visitors will be the fresher of the two sides, having had a full week to prepare for this game but the Irons are still looking for a first success since May 8.

With the second-leg against Danish side Viborg FF awaiting them in just four days, what a week it would be if the hosts could pick up a result here.

Angelo Ogbonna made his first appearance since November in the victory three days ago and he will be hoping to retain his place alongside Aaron Cresswell, who returns from suspension.

Ogbonna was given the Captain’s armband against the Danes but regular Skipper Declan Rice will be back in midfield here.

Thilo Kehrer could make his debut and if he starts, the German international may replace either Ben Johnson or Vladimír Coufal in the starting line-up. Kurt Zouma is also in line to regain his place after being rested for the European encounter.

Michail Antonio is likely to start this match after scoring his first goal of the campaign on Thursday and, if David Moyes decides to go with two upfront, he may well be partnered by either Maxwel Cornet, or Gianluca Scamacca.

Saïd Benrahma started last weekend’s match and it remains to be seen whether he keeps his place or Moyes could stick with Manuel Lanzini. Łukasz Fabiański will again take over the goalkeeping duties from Alphonse Areola.

One player that will not feature in the matchday squad however is youngster Thierry Nevers, as it was confirmed on Thursday that he has joined Sky Bet League Two outfit Newport County for the remainder of the current campaign.

The match kicks off at 2pm and the referee is Anthony Taylor.