Brighton and Hove Albion Match Preview

Although it’s been a busy month for all Premier League clubs this year, they face a truncated festive fixture programme with no game scheduled for New Year’s Day.

West Ham United are currently on a three-match unbeaten run with their only defeat being at the very start of the month away at newly-promoted Leicester City and after a 1-1 draw at AFC Bournemouth on Monday night, they will be hoping to maintain that form when Brighton and Hove Albion visit this afternoon.

David Moyes saw his side pick up four points against the Seagulls last campaign and the hosts will be hoping they can build on the result five days earlier, whilst also trying to replicate the outcome of last year and give their fans an early Christmas present.

The visitors are once again under new management, as German Fabian Hürzeler is now in charge and having enjoyed a great start to the season, they are currently on a four-match winless run. With that in mind, the Irons will be eyeing a first ever top-flight home victory against today’s opponents.

Hürzeler’s side will be the fresher of the two teams, due to having one extra day’s preparation.

Julen Lopetegui is without midfielder Carlos Soler for this game through suspension, while Emerson Palmieri is available again having served his own one-match ban against the Cherries at The Vitality Stadium. Guido Rodríguez hasn’t featured in the starting line-up for some considerable time and is pushing to regain his place.

Lucas Paquetá is hoping to remain in the side off the back of his late penalty last time out, while Crysencio Summerville is also looking to win his place back. Captain Jarrod Bowen is set to make his 300th Premier League appearance.

Youngster Oliver Scarles was handed his Premier League debut from the bench in Dorset and he will be itching to be involved again.

The match is a 3pm kick-off and the referee is Robert Jones.