Brighton and Hove Albion Match Preview

After their emphatic home victory over Chelsea last weekend, West Ham United will now be seeking to improve their away form. With back-to-back games on the road upcoming, they will be hoping to take a first step towards that aim this evening with a first-ever Premier League win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Given that the match at The American Express Stadium is a 5:30pm kick-off, both sides are likely to lose their lofty positions in the Premier League table depending on the results in the earlier matches.

Just as in Chelsea’s case last weekend, the Hammers have had one fewer day’s preparation ahead of this game. Not only that, they are then back in action on Friday, as they face a trip to newly-promoted Luton Town.

Both the East Londoners and the Seagulls are unbeaten so far this season and the Irons will want to do all they can to break the home side’s 100% start. If they are able to achieve this, it will then mean that memories of last season’s 4-0 trouncing by Roberto De Zerbi’s side here will go some way to being forgotten.

West Ham didn’t receive a red card in the entirety of the last campaign. Well, that particular statistic has already changed. Defender Nayef Aguerd was given two yellow cards against Mauricio Pochettino’s men, meaning that he will be suspended for the trip to Sussex. Either Thilo Kehrer or Angelo Ogbonna will take the Moroccan’s place in defence.

Manager David Moyes stated in his pre-match news conference on Friday that latest signing Konstantinos Mavropanos is not yet ready to be involved in the matchday squad. He did however confirm that the first sighting of the Greek defender may come in the home match against current Premier League Champions Manchester City on September 16.

If Moyes decides to make other changes however, then Edson Álvarez may be in line for his first start.

James Ward-Prowse made his debut for the club in the victory over the Blues last time out and he is likely to retain his place and make a quick return to the South Coast, just twelve days after finalising his switch from Southampton.

For the second week in succession, Moyes’ men have been chosen to feature on Sky Sports. Live coverage gets underway at 5pm and the referee is Antony Taylor.

I’m sure that fans are well aware by now that it’s been a busy month on the transfer front. Another player was allowed to leave Stratford on Friday, as a deal to take young goalkeeper Mason Terry to Isthmian League Premier Division side Concord Rangers on a season-long loan was sanctioned by the hierarchy in East London.

As always, news on any further moves completed before the 11pm deadline on September 1 will appear here.