Brentford Match Preview

Following their Carabao Cup success against Arsenal on Wednesday night, West Ham United will try to get their league campaign back on track and claim their first three points since September 30 when they travel to The Gtech Community Stadium to face Brentford this afternoon.

The 4-1 defeat to Aston Villa on October 22 still means that the Hammers will be looking for a third top-flight success on the road this season and their first since the 2-1 victory at newly-promoted Luton Town at the start of September.

This is only the second London derby in the league for the East Londoners and Fingers crossed they can notch up a similar result to the one that they achieved against Chelsea in Stratford back on August 20.

Thomas Frank’s Bees seem to have got a run together at present but prior to that, they suffered disappointing results at home to both Everton and AFC Bournemouth. Having said that, they go into this game off the back of a 2-0 triumph over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It will be interesting to see what unfolds here, as their opponents have already caused an upset this week and another could well be on the cards!!!

The home side will be the fresher of the two teams having had a full week to prepare, following that triumph over the Blues but it shouldn’t be forgotten that West Ham had a memorable result of their own in midweek!!!

This is a crucial game because were either side able to take three points, then they would climb above their opponents in the table.

Emmerson Palmieri was back in the team on Wednesday and the former Chelsea man could retain his place, while Mohammed Kudus is in contention for a fourth successive start.

James Ward-Prowse has started every game for the Irons since moving to the club back on 14 August but was on the bench for Wednesday’s tie. However, the former Southampton Captain will almost certainly start again today and he could have either Tomáš Souček, Saïd Benrahma, or Pablo Fornals alongside him in midfield, given that both Lucas Paquetá and Edson Álvarez have to serve a one-match ban. If Benrahma is involved, then he will be featuring against his former club.

David Moyes experimented with Jarrod Bowen upfront against the Gunners and whilst the former Hull City winger may drop back into his normal position, Michail Antonio is ready to be restored to the starting line-up.

There is uncertainty over the fitness of Captain Kurt Zouma after he wasn’t involved in the matchday squad against Mikel Arteta’s men and a late decision will be made on whether he can take part. If he fails a fitness check, then Konstantinos Mavropanos may make his full top-flight debut.

There is some good news however, as Vladimír Coufal is set to make his 100th Premier League appearance.

The match is a 3pm kick-off and the referee is Thomas Bramall.