2018-19 Premier League: Week Eight – Friday

James Gregory

8 years ago

Brighton will hand defender, Dale Stephens a late fitness test after he missed Saturday’s defeat at Manchester City with a hamstring injury.

Pascal Gross is still absent with ankle damage whilst Jose Izquierdo could make his first start of this season.

West Ham are set to name an unchanged squad as Javier Hernandez looks set for bench after recovering from glandular fever.

Jack Wilshire (ankle) is ruled out alongside Carlos Sanchez, Manuel Lanzini and Winston Reid, who are all recovering from knee injuries.

Brighton come into this game off the back of two defeats against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Seagulls have however scored in all three home league matches despite suffering one win, draw and defeat apiece.

Glenn Murray is their top scorer from those games with three goals.

Having lost their opening four league games, West Ham are unbeaten in their last three with two wins and a draw.

Both of their wins were by 3-1 results with Marko Arnautovic scoring in each of those matches.

Brighton won both meetings last season, scoring three goals in each but conceded once at home.
The Seagulls last won back to back home games against West Ham in same calendar back in 1982 (January; 1-0, October; 3-1).
Marko Arnautovic and Glenn Murray are two of four players tied as second highest goal scorers of season so far.
Brighton have lost just one of their last 16 league matches in October.
West Ham are yet to hit woodwork this season whereas Brighton have on one occasion.

I can see goals coming here because both sides have strong attacking sides and this fixture hasn’t seen a goalless draw in nearly 40 years.

Brighton will battle hard but for me, West Ham have finally clicked and the win over Manchester United will give them another level here.

Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 West Ham United

Jake predicts: Brighton & Hove Albion 0-2 West Ham United

Result: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 West Ham United

With the new season underway, so is Prediction Wars between me and Boro Rants writer, Jake Self.

Rules however are same as last season and goes as follows alongside latest standings;

Correct score – 3 points
Correct result – 1 point
Incorrect result – 0 points