West Ham United vs Brighton and Hove Albion Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction | Dec 31 – Must-Win Game to Escape the Drop Zone vs Brighton?

New Year’s Eve at the London Stadium presents a fixture simmering with anxiety for the hosts and frustration for the visitors. West Ham United, currently languishing in the relegation zone in 18th place, is desperate to turn the tide under Nuno Espírito Santo, whose tenure has been defined by dropped points and nervous defending. They welcome a Brighton side that, despite sitting 9th, is enduring its worst run of the campaign under Fabian Hürzeler.

West Ham United vs Brighton and Hove Albion Match Details at a Glance

Injury News and Suspensions

West Ham United

The medical staff at Rush Green have had a surprisingly quiet week, with the official report listing “No Injury” concerns for the first team squad a rare luxury at this stage of the season. However, availability is still an issue due to international call-ups. Key defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka is away on international duty, leaving a significant hole in the defensive transition plans.

Brighton and Hove Albion

The Seagulls are not quite as fortunate. The physio room is busy, and international departures are hurting them too. Midfield engine Carlos Baleba is away on international duty, robbing the midfield of his dynamism. Defensively, Adam Webster remains out with a knee injury until early January, while Solly March is also sidelined until the New Year.

West Ham United vs Brighton and Hove Albion Head-to-Head Records

Form Guide

West Ham United

It has been a grim winter for the East Londoners. Since taking the reins in September, Nuno Espírito Santo has struggled to imprint his philosophy effectively, with the team managing just two wins in 12 games. Currently sitting 18th, the atmosphere is tense. The primary issue hasn’t just been losing; it’s been the manner of the defeats. The Irons have developed a nasty habit of surrendering winning positions, owing to a lack of confidence and defensive solidity.

Brighton and Hove Albion

Fabian Hürzeler’s high-octane football took the league by storm early on, but the engine is sputtering. The South Coast side is winless in four Premier League matches, taking just two points from the last 12 available. They remain 9th, but the gap to the European places is widening. Their style remains expansive and possession-heavy, but they are suffering from “dominance without reward.” A struggle to convert high-quality chances.

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Key Battles

Jarrod Bowen vs Ferdi Kadioglu

Based on the players available, a likely key duel will take place on West Ham’s right flank. Jarrod Bowen remains the talisman for the hosts; if they are going to score, he is usually the architect or the executioner. His ability to drive at defenders and cut inside is crucial for Nuno’s counter-attacking setup.

Opposing him is likely to be Ferdi Kadioglu. The versatile Turkish international often operates as an inverted full-back or wing-back for the visitors. While his technical ability adds numbers to the midfield, his positioning can sometimes be suspect in transition. If Kadioglu gets caught too high up the pitch, Bowen will have acres of green grass to run into.

Lucas Paquetá vs Mats Wieffer

In the center of the park, the battle for control will be fascinating. Lucas Paquetá is the creative heartbeat of this West Ham side. In a team struggling for confidence, his flair and vision are the only things capable of unlocking a defense out of nothing.

Standing in his way is Mats Wieffer. The Brighton defensive midfielder is the glue holding Hürzeler’s risky system together. His job is to screen the defense and recycle possession. Against a player as tricky as Paquetá, Wieffer cannot afford to dive in.

West Ham United vs Brighton and Hove Albion Tactical Outlook

Nuno Espírito Santo is almost certain to deploy his preferred back-three system, likely a 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2. With Wan-Bissaka absent, Kyle Walker-Peters will likely be tasked with a heavy workload on the right, needing to balance defensive cover with providing width. The game plan will be classic Nuno: sit deep, absorb Brighton’s pressure, maintain a rigid shape, and look to spring Summerville and Bowen on rapid transitions.

Fabian Hürzeler will not compromise on his principles. Expect the Seagulls to set up in a fluid 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3 in possession, with a very high defensive line. They will look to overload the midfield, with players like Hinshelwood and Ayari rotating to create passing triangles. The absence of Baleba removes some driving power, so they may rely more on precise passing from the back via Verbruggen and Wieffer.

West Ham United vs Brighton and Hove Albion Possible Playing Squad

West Ham United XI:

Areola (GK), Todibo, Kilman, Magassa, Walker-Peters, Scarles, Potts, Fernandes, Paquetá, Bowen, Summerville

Brighton and Hove Albion XI:

Verbruggen (GK), Kadioglu, Wieffer, Boscagli, De Cuyper, Hinshelwood, Ayari, Minteh, Gruda, Rutter, Coppola

West Ham United vs Brighton and Hove Albion Match Prediction

This is a battle of fragile confidence. West Ham have the players to hurt Brighton on the break, but their defensive record suggests they cannot keep the visitors out for 90 minutes. The London Stadium atmosphere could turn toxic quickly if the Seagulls dominate possession early on. It feels like a match where both teams’ weaknesses will cancel each other out.

Score Prediction

West Ham United 1–1 Brighton and Hove Albion; The Hammers stop the rot slightly with a point, but Brighton’s possession dominance fails to yield a winner due to wasteful finishing.

Disclaimer: This Football prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.