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**Meta Title:** Brighton vs West Ham Preview: EPL Prediction & Tips (26/04)

**Meta Description:** Get expert EPL predictions, betting tips & team news for Brighton vs West Ham (26/04/2025). In-depth Premier League match analysis & score forecast.

# Brighton vs West Ham: Premier League Match Preview, Predictions & Team News

Get ready for a crucial English Premier League clash as **Brighton & Hove Albion** host **West Ham United** at The American Express Community Stadium. This EPL fixture is scheduled for **Saturday, April 26, 2025, kicking off at 14:00 GMT (3:00 PM BST)**. This analysis provides comprehensive **EPL predictions**, betting insights, team news, and tactical breakdowns for this intriguing encounter, which sees Graham Potter return to his former club amidst pressure at West Ham.

## Match Prediction and Scoreline

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

This **Premier League prediction** anticipates a tight contest, but Brighton's historical edge over West Ham at home (despite last season's loss) and the visitors' current struggles might just favour the Seagulls, even with their significant injury list. West Ham need just a point to mathematically secure Premier League safety, which could influence their approach.

**Betting Insights & Probabilities:**

*   **Match Winner Odds (Approx):**
    *   Brighton Win: 8/13 (Implied Probability: ~60%)
    *   Draw: 23/10 (Implied Probability: ~28%)
    *   West Ham Win: 7/2 (Implied Probability: ~22%)
    *(Odds via Betfair – Subject to change)*
*   **Both Teams To Score (BTTS):** Yes – Brighton have conceded 2+ goals in their last five league games, while West Ham showed vulnerability conceding late against Southampton.
*   **Over/Under 2.5 Goals:** Over 2.5 – Brighton's recent games have seen goals, and while West Ham have struggled offensively, the potential for defensive errors on both sides exists.

Look for value in **EPL betting tips** focusing on Brighton double chance (Win or Draw) given West Ham's poor away form, or potentially Danny Welbeck to score anytime given his record against the Hammers.

## Key Factors and Expected Outcome

Several **key match factors** will likely determine the **expected EPL outcome**:

*   **Form:** Both teams are in dismal form. Brighton are winless in their last five Premier League matches (D2 L3), conceding 13 goals. West Ham are winless in six (D3 L3) and have gathered only 13 points in 13 games under Graham Potter.
*   **Injuries & Suspensions:** This is critical.
    *   **Brighton:** Severely depleted. Leading scorer Joao Pedro is suspended. Key defender Jan Paul van Hecke is a major doubt. A long list of absentees includes Kadioglu, Milner, Lamptey, Veltman, Rutter, Webster, Igor, and Steele.
    *   **West Ham:** Midfielder Edson Alvarez is likely out (back). Evan Ferguson is ineligible against his parent club. Michail Antonio and Crysencio Summerville are injured. Aaron Cresswell (muscle) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (toe) face late fitness tests, though Wan-Bissaka is expected to be available.
*   **Tactics & Managerial Pressure:** Graham Potter returns to the Amex under scrutiny following a slow start at West Ham and recent public criticism from striker Niclas Fullkrug regarding team motivation. Fabian Hurzler faces questions too, with Brighton's form dipping. Expect Brighton to try and dominate possession, while West Ham might adopt a more pragmatic approach, potentially using a back three/five, needing just a point for safety.
*   **Morale:** West Ham's morale could be fragile after Fullkrug's outburst and conceding a late equaliser to relegated Southampton. Brighton's confidence may also be low after a heavy defeat at Brentford and mounting injuries.
*   **Home Advantage:** The Amex factor could be significant for Brighton, despite their injury woes.

**Expected Outcome:** A potentially cagey match given the poor form and West Ham's need to avoid defeat. Brighton will likely see more of the ball, but their depleted squad could struggle to break down a potentially defensive West Ham. Set pieces (Ward-Prowse for West Ham) could be crucial. Expect a close contest, possibly decided by individual moments or errors.

## Recent Team Form and Key Players to Watch

### Brighton & Hove Albion

*   **Last 5 PL Results:** L-D-L-L-D (Brentford 4-2 L, Leicester 2-2 D, Crystal Palace 2-1 L, Aston Villa 3-0 L, Man City 2-2 D)
*   **Injuries/Suspensions:**
    *   OUT: Joao Pedro (Suspension), Ferdi Kadioglu (Toe), James Milner (Thigh), Tariq Lamptey (Ankle), Joel Veltman (Ankle), Georginio Rutter (Ankle), Adam Webster (Thigh), Igor Julio (Hamstring), Jason Steele (Shoulder)
    *   DOUBTFUL: Jan Paul van Hecke (Head)
*   **Key Players:**
    *   **Danny Welbeck:** Crucial in Pedro's absence. Has 9 PL goals this season (seeking his first 10-goal PL campaign) and boasts 6 career goals against West Ham – his favourite opponent.
    *   **Lewis Dunk:** The captain's leadership and defensive organisation are vital amidst injuries and poor defensive form.
    *   **Kaoru Mitoma:** If selected, his dribbling ability provides a key attacking outlet.

### West Ham United

*   **Last 6 PL Results:** D-L-D-L-D-L (Southampton 1-1 D, Liverpool 2-1 L, Bournemouth 2-2 D, Wolves 1-0 L, Everton 1-1 D, Newcastle 1-0 L)
*   **Injuries/Suspensions:**
    *   OUT: Evan Ferguson (Ineligible - Loan), Michail Antonio (Injury), Crysencio Summerville (Hamstring), Edson Alvarez (Back - Likely)
    *   DOUBTFUL: Aaron Cresswell (Muscle), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Toe - Expected Available)
*   **Key Players:**
    *   **Jarrod Bowen:** Remains West Ham's most consistent attacking threat.
    *   **Mohammed Kudus:** Offers flair, dribbling, and goal threat from midfield or attack.
    *   **James Ward-Prowse:** His set-piece delivery is a major weapon for the Hammers.
    *   **Niclas Fullkrug:** Will be motivated after his public comments. Provides a physical presence and has contributed goals/assists recently (1 goal, 2 assists in last 3 starts).

## Tactical Preview

This **EPL tactical analysis** suggests a clash of styles, potentially dictated by injuries and necessity.

*   **Brighton (Likely 4-2-3-1):** Fabian Hurzler will likely stick to Brighton's **possession strategies**, aiming to build from the back and control the midfield through players like Baleba and Hinshelwood (if selected). Wingers like Mitoma will be key to unlocking the West Ham defence. However, their defensive structure has been poor, conceding freely in recent weeks.
*   **West Ham (Potential 3-5-2 or 4-2-3-1):** Graham Potter faces a tactical decision. He could opt for a pragmatic **formation breakdown**, possibly using a back three (Todibo, Mavropanos, Kilman) to provide solidity, especially needing only a draw. Alternatively, a 4-2-3-1 allows Kudus and Paqueta creative freedom behind Fullkrug, with Bowen wide. Expect reliance on **counter-attacking** speed and Ward-Prowse's set pieces.
*   **Key Tactical Battles:**
    *   **Welbeck vs West Ham Centre-Backs:** Can Welbeck exploit space against Todibo/Kilman/Mavropanos?
    *   **Brighton Midfield vs Kudus/Paqueta:** Can Brighton's engine room contain the creativity and movement of West Ham's attacking midfielders?
    *   **Wing Battles:** Mitoma (if playing) vs Coufal/Wan-Bissaka could be decisive.

## Summary and Key Takeaways

This **Premier League match preview** points towards a tense affair at the Amex. Brighton's extensive injury list and poor form clash with West Ham's own struggles and Potter's difficult return. While Brighton have historically dominated this fixture at home (bar last season), their current state makes it hard to predict with confidence. West Ham's need for a point adds another layer of tactical intrigue.

**Key Takeaways & Betting Angles:**

*   Both teams are desperately out of form.
*   Brighton are severely hampered by injuries and suspension.
*   West Ham need a point for safety and have internal morale questions.
*   **Betting:** BTTS (Yes) and Over 2.5 Goals look plausible given Brighton's defensive record. Brighton Double Chance (Win/Draw) offers some security. Welbeck Anytime Scorer is a good shout based on history.
*   **Fantasy Football Tips:**
    *   **Consider:** Danny Welbeck (BRI - form, history), Jarrod Bowen (WHU - main threat), Mohammed Kudus (WHU - potential), James Ward-Prowse (WHU - set pieces).
    *   **Avoid:** Brighton defenders (injury/form), potentially West Ham defence away from home.

**Final Prediction:** Expect a close contest, potentially scrappy, defined by key moments rather than flowing football. Brighton's home advantage might just see them edge it 2-1, but a draw securing West Ham's safety wouldn't be a surprise.