The current Premier League campaign for Brighton and Hove Albion has begun in the same manner as the last one did, with the front-foot play that has been their defining characteristic. When they play West Ham United on Saturday, they might make it three victories in a row.
Following back-to-back 4-1 thrashings of Luton Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls have for the first time ever soared to the top of the top-flight league standings. Only the second time(Brighton), after 2021–22, have they started a top-flight season with consecutive victories. On the other hand, their eight goals match their return as a fourth-tier team in 2016 and are a joint-best total for their first two league games.
Even well-known departures don’t seem to be able to slow down Brighton. They saw a familiar combination of Kaoru Mitoma, Pervis Estupián, and Solly March punish an ineffective Wolves squad after last week’s acceptance of Moisés Caicedo’s £115 million sale to Chelsea.
With two goals in his most recent game, March has contributed to 15 goals in his previous 19 league games (10 goals and five assists). His current goal is to become the first Brighton player to score in each of his team’s first three Premier League contests.
No defender will be enjoying forward to facing Mitoma and Phil Foden since they have combined to produce nine opportunities in the Premier League’s opening two matchdays.
Brighton’s quick development is not wholly unanticipated, but West Ham’s 3-1 victory against Chelsea in a dramatic London derby last Sunday—giving the Hammers four points after 2 games—came as a bit of a shock.
After a challenging preseason, Moyes’ job as manager looked to be in jeopardy, but the signings of James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez have improved the atmosphere in east London, and the two might fill the void left by Declan Rice in the Hammers midfield.
In his Premier League debut for the Irons against Chelsea, Ward-Prowse made history by being the first player to register two assists. He is an England international. His first, a signature corner delivery that Nayef Aguerd nodded in, brought him to 25 set-piece assists in England’s top division. He is now only eight assists short of Chris Brunt’s 33 Premier League record for assists from corners and free kicks, which he presently shares.
Following his expulsion against Chelsea in the second half, Aguerd won’t be able to play at Brighton. However, Konstantinos Mavropanos, a recent addition, may make his debut for West Ham, while Mohammed Kudus of Ajax continues to be a transfer target moving ahead.
Moyes hopes to break a personal curse on Saturday after failing to defeat Brighton in eight prior Premier League games (D4 L4). The only team the Scot has yet to defeat is Brentford, and he has presided over triumphs over 40 different clubs in the tournament.
Must Read: West Ham’s New Signing, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Is All Set For The Premier League
Recent Form of both the clubs-
After dominating Wolves and Luton, Brighton is aiming to win its first three league games for the first time since 2011–12, when they went on to finish 10th in the Championship.
With the most open-play shots (35) and open-play expected goals (5.17) among all Premier League teams in the first few weeks of the season, De Zerbi’s squad has been exceptional. They could be able to follow in the footsteps of teams like Everton (1890-1891), Sheffield Wednesday (1932-1933), and Blackburn Rovers (1958-1959), who all managed to score four or more goals in each of their first three games of a season in the top tier.
West Ham also wishes to have a successful month after defeating Wolves and Fulham back-to-back in the Premier League during October of last year.
Brighton vs West Ham United H2H-
West Ham still hasn’t defeated Brighton in the Premier League. In their 12 prior competition encounters with them, they have suffered six losses and drawn six.
After their most recent league success, a 6-0 triumph over Brighton in the Championship in April 2012, West Ham currently owns the record for the longest stretch in the Premier League without a victory against a single foe.
Under the direction of the late manager Graham Potter, Brighton defeated West Ham twice the previous season, taking both games at the London Stadium and the Amex by scores of 2-0 and 4-0, respectively. Danny Welbeck scored the last goal of the game, giving him a total of seven goals against West Ham, more than any other team (three for Arsenal, three for Brighton, and one for Manchester United).
Total Matches Played- 6
Brighton- 4 Wins
West Ham- 0 Wins
Draws- 2
Predictions-
Brighton Hove Albion 2-1 West Ham United
Date – 26th August, 2023
Time – 4.30pm GMT
Venue – Falmer Stadium
