West Ham United predicted line-up vs Brighton (4-3-2-1) | OneFootball

West Ham United welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the London Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Hammers come into the midweek clash on the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat to Fulham, a result that extended their winless run and left them in the relegation zone.

With the festive schedule offering little time to dwell on setbacks, West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping a return to home soil can provide the spark his side needs.

Brighton arrive in similarly frustrating form, having gone five league matches without a win and slipping from the European places after a 2-1 defeat in their last game.

Match preview

The London Stadium has not been the fortress West Ham supporters would have hoped for this season.

Defensive issues have plagued the Hammers throughout the campaign, with 36 goals conceded in 18 league matches, the second-worst record in the division.

However, Brighton’s own struggles at the back offer some encouragement, with Fabian Hurzeler’s side conceding nine goals across their last five outings in all competitions.

The reverse fixture earlier this month ended in a 1-1 draw at the AMEX Stadium, with a late Brighton equaliser denying West Ham a rare win.

Match stats

West Ham are without a Premier League win in December and have taken just three points from their last eight league matches.

The Hammers are 18th in the table with 13 points from 18 games and will start the New Year in the bottom three regardless of Tuesday’s result.

Brighton have failed to win any of their last five Premier League matches (D3, L2), scoring just five goals in that run.

This fixture has historically been tricky for West Ham, who have won just one Premier League meeting with Brighton, with four of the last five clashes ending in draws.

Team news

West Ham are without several first-team players. Niclas Fullkrug and Lukasz Fabianski are sidelined through injury, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf are on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

There were no fresh injury concerns to emerge from the defeat to Fulham, which could allow Nuno to keep changes to a minimum in a bid to find some continuity.

The ‘incredible‘ Callum Wilson could be recalled to the starting XI as the Hammers search for goals.

However, Jarrod Bowen is more likely to lead the line. The England international (20 caps) remains one of West Ham’s most reliable attacking outlets this season.

Lucas Paqueta should retain his role as the creative hub behind the striker alongside Crysencio Summerville.

Sougoutou Magassa, Matheus Fernandes and Freddie Potts will anchor the midfield.

Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman are likely to continue their partnership in central defence, with Alphonse Areola keeping his place between the posts.

West Ham United predicted line-up (4-3-2-1)

Alphonse Areola; Kyle Walker-Peters, Jean-Clair Todibo, Max Kilman, Oliver Scarles; Sougoutou Magassa, Matheus Fernandes, Freddie Potts; Lucas Paqueta, Crysencio Summerville; Jarrod Bowen.