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**Meta Title:** Brighton vs West Ham Preview: EPL Predictions & Tips (53 chars)

**Meta Description:** Get expert EPL predictions & betting tips for Brighton vs West Ham (Apr 26). Analysis, team news, form, tactics & score prediction for this Premier League clash. (159 chars)

# Brighton vs West Ham: Premier League Match Preview, Predictions & Betting Tips

Get ready for a crucial English Premier League encounter as Brighton & Hove Albion host West Ham United at The American Express Community Stadium. This EPL clash takes place on **Saturday, April 26, 2025, kicking off at 14:00 GMT (3:00 PM UK time)**. Both sides are searching for form, making this a vital fixture as the season draws towards its conclusion. Read on for our full football analysis, EPL predictions, and betting tips.

## Match Prediction and Scoreline: Brighton vs West Ham

**Predicted Score:** Brighton 2 – 1 West Ham

**Betting Insights & Probabilities:**

*   **Winner Odds:** Brighton are slight favourites given home advantage, despite recent struggles. West Ham's poor away form makes them outsiders.
*   **Both Teams To Score (BTTS):** Likely 'Yes'. Brighton have conceded 2+ goals in their last five league games, while West Ham possess attacking threats like Fullkrug, Bowen, and Kudus, even if inconsistent.
*   **Over/Under 2.5 Goals:** Leaning towards 'Over 2.5 Goals' given Brighton's defensive frailties and the potential for goals at both ends.
*   **Probability Breakdown (Estimated):** Brighton Win: 40% | Draw: 35% | West Ham Win: 25%

Look for value in Brighton covering a narrow handicap or Danny Welbeck finding the net. Use these Premier League predictions to inform your EPL betting tips.

## Key Factors and Expected Outcome

Several key match factors will influence this Premier League showdown:

*   **Form:** Both teams are in poor spells. Brighton are winless in six (D2, L4 across all comps, L3 D1 in last 4 PL), shipping goals frequently. West Ham are also winless in their last six Premier League games (D3, L3).
*   **Injuries & Suspensions:**
    *   **Brighton:** Facing a significant injury list including Webster, Igor, Veltman, Lamptey, Kadioglu, Milner, and Rutter. Key defender Jan Paul van Hecke is questionable after a nasty head injury against Brentford. Crucially, attacker Joao Pedro is suspended following his red card.
    *   **West Ham:** Missing Crysencio Summerville and Michail Antonio through injury. Evan Ferguson is ineligible. Doubts remain over Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Aaron Cresswell, and Edson Alvarez.
*   **Managerial Duel:** Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler, the league's youngest manager, pits his possession-based style against Graham Potter's West Ham. Potter returns to his former club, where he suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat previously (with Chelsea). West Ham are reportedly struggling to implement Potter's desired style effectively.
*   **Home vs. Away Advantage:** Brighton typically perform better at the Amex. West Ham's away form is concerning; all four away wins this season came with clean sheets, and they are winless in their last 15 on the road when conceding (D5, L10).
*   **Morale:** Likely fragile in both camps. Brighton's European hopes have faded amidst their slump, while West Ham sit 17th (albeit comfortably safe) after a disappointing campaign.

**Expected EPL Outcome:** Expect a potentially tense affair between two sides desperate for a positive result. Brighton's home advantage and West Ham's travel woes might just tip the balance, but injuries and suspensions could play a major role. An error-strewn game wouldn't be surprising.

## Recent Team Form and Key Players to Watch

### Brighton & Hove Albion Form & News

*   **Last 5 PL Results:** L (4-2 @ Brentford), D (2-2 vs Leicester), L (2-1 @ Crystal Palace), L (0-3 vs Aston Villa), D (2-2 @ Man City).
*   **Summary:** The Seagulls are struggling defensively, conceding 13 goals in their last 5 league matches. Their winless run stretches to six games across all competitions. The loss of Joao Pedro to suspension is a significant blow.
*   **Key Player:** **Danny Welbeck**. With 9 goals and 4 assists (his best PL return) and Pedro out, the veteran striker is vital. He's chasing his first 10-goal PL season and boasts an excellent record against West Ham (6 goals - his most against any PL opponent).
*   **Injuries/Suspensions:**
    *   *Out:* Webster, Igor, Veltman, Lamptey, Kadioglu, Milner, Rutter (Injured), Joao Pedro (Suspended).
    *   *Questionable:* Van Hecke (Injured).

### West Ham United Form & News

*   **Last 6 PL Results:** D (1-1 vs Southampton), L (2-1 @ Liverpool), D (2-2 vs Bournemouth), L (1-0 @ Wolves), D (1-1 @ Everton), L (0-1 vs Newcastle).
*   **Summary:** The Hammers are winless in six Premier League matches under Graham Potter, struggling for consistency and results. Their away form is particularly poor.
*   **Key Player:** **Niclas Füllkrug**. The German striker has contributed a goal or assist in each of his last three PL starts and boasts an impressive goal involvement rate (every 108 minutes). He'll lead the line in Antonio's absence. Also watch for threats from Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, and the set-piece delivery of James Ward-Prowse.
*   **Injuries/Suspensions:**
    *   *Out:* Summerville, Antonio (Injured), Ferguson (Ineligible).
    *   *Questionable:* Wan-Bissaka, Cresswell, Alvarez (Injured).

## Tactical Preview: Potential Formations and Styles

### Likely Formations and Approach

*   **Brighton (Predicted 4-2-3-1):** Under Hurzeler, expect Brighton to try and dominate possession at home, building attacks patiently. They may look to exploit the flanks with players like Mitoma (if fit/starting). Their defensive structure has looked vulnerable recently.
*   **West Ham (Predicted 4-2-3-1):** Potter ideally wants a possession game but may adopt a more pragmatic approach away from home given recent form. They could look to stay compact and hit Brighton on the counter-attack using the pace of Bowen and Kudus, or rely on set-piece opportunities.

### Key Tactical Battles

*   **Welbeck vs West Ham Centre-Backs:** Can the experienced Welbeck find space and link play effectively without his usual partner Pedro?
*   **Midfield Control:** The battle between Brighton's likely pairing (e.g., Hinshelwood, Baleba) and West Ham's (e.g., Soler, Ward-Prowse) will be crucial for dictating the tempo.
*   **Wide Areas:** How Brighton's full-backs cope with West Ham's dangerous wingers (Bowen, Kudus, Paqueta) could decide attacking success for the visitors.

This EPL tactical analysis suggests a clash of styles, potentially favouring Brighton's control at home if they can tighten up defensively.

## Summary and Key Takeaways

This Premier League fixture pits two out-of-sorts teams against each other. Brighton's significant injury list and Joao Pedro's suspension are major concerns, but their home advantage and West Ham's dreadful away record give them a slight edge. Graham Potter desperately needs a result against his former club to lift the mood at West Ham.

*   **Final Prediction:** Brighton 2 – 1 West Ham.
*   **Key Betting Angles:** Brighton Win/Draw (Double Chance), Both Teams To Score (Yes), Over 2.5 Goals. Consider Danny Welbeck Anytime Scorer.
*   **Fantasy Football Tips (FPL):**
    *   **Pick:** Danny Welbeck (BHA) - Main striker, good record vs WHU, penalty duties likely.
    *   **Consider:** Kaoru Mitoma (BHA) if starting, Niclas Füllkrug (WHU) as a differential based on recent output.
    *   **Avoid:** Defenders from either side due to recent leaky performances. Joao Pedro (BHA) is suspended.

Expect a competitive, potentially high-scoring match at the Amex, where Brighton's need to halt their slide might just see them edge out a struggling West Ham side.