West Ham eager to end blues as Brighton trip looms.
Brighton vs. West Ham begins at 14:00 [GMT] on Sunday, December 7, at the AMEX.
Since Brighton entered the Premier League, they have become something of a puzzle the Hammers simply cannot solve. Across 16 league meetings, West Ham have beaten the Seagulls only once, a statistic that highlights how unusual this rivalry has become. That lone victory — a 3-1 win at the Amex Stadium in August 2023 — stands out as an exception in a matchup otherwise controlled by Brighton. Not only have Brighton avoided defeat in 15 of those meetings, but they have also been prolific in front of goal, scoring more Premier League goals against West Ham (31) than against any other opponent. The weight of history isn’t the only dynamic shaping this encounter. Brighton’s scoring habits continue to leave a strong imprint on this season as well. The team has been particularly dangerous after halftime, registering more second-half goals than any other side in the league, with 17 so far. Ten of those goals have arrived in the final 15 minutes — an indication that the Seagulls remain aggressively threatening until the final whistle. Their resilience and attacking fluidity at home, however, were recently interrupted. A 4-3 defeat to Aston Villa ended a ten-match unbeaten stretch at the Amex Stadium, a run that reflected consistency even during fluctuating form. They will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways on Sunday when they host the Hammers. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Danny Welbeck in attack is expected against the visitors.
West Ham’s away form introduces another twist. While their record against Brighton is notoriously poor, their performances on Sunday fixtures tell a different story. The Hammers have won their last three Premier League away games played on a Sunday — matching their total from the previous 27 away Sunday matches combined. Whether that emerging pattern matters in this particular clash remains open, but it does hint at a team capable of breaking routines under specific circumstances. West Ham striker Callum Wilson arrives with his own history of effectiveness. He has produced eight goal contributions against Brighton — five goals and three assists. Beyond that, managerial history adds another layer. Nuno Espírito Santo has managed against Brighton nine times in the Premier League, winning only two. Yet, tellingly, his most emphatic career victory came against them: a 7-0 win with Nottingham Forest in February. While claiming such a wide-margin victory against the Seagulls on Sunday is unlikely, three points will be firmly cemented on his mind. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Callum Wilson in attack is expected against the Seagulls.