PREMIER LEAGUE fanatic Tommy Buckley (@tbuckleythinks) previews Friday night's live Premier League action as Brighton host West Ham.
Brighton v West Ham | Friday 5th October 2018, 20:00 | Sky Sports
Friday night Premier League football hits our screens again with the Sky Sports cameras travelling to Brighton to cover their fascinating clash against West Ham.
Here's a quick look at their respective statistics so far…
Brighton’s stats:
- W1-D2-L4, scored 8, conceded 13
- 57% of Brighton's league matches have been Both Teams To Score
- 57% of Brighton's league matches have been Over 2.5 Goals
- Their last four games have seen W0-D2-L2
- Their home Premier League record is W1-D1-L1
- Brighton have conceded 2+ goals in 6 of their 7 Premier League matches
West Ham’s stats:
- W2-D1-L4, scored 8, conceded 12
- 57% of West Ham's league matches have been Both Teams To Score
- 71% of West Ham's league matches have been Over 2.5 Goals
- Their last four games have seen W2-D1-L1.
- Their away Premier League record is W1-D0-L2
- West Ham have conceded in every away match and conceded in 6 of their 7 Premier League matches
Last season Brighton won both Premier League fixtures against West Ham with a 3-1 win at home with Glenn Murray scoring first and a 3-0 win away at West Ham with Glenn Murray again breaking the deadlock.
Seagulls lacking final third punch
With regards to my thoughts ahead of this fixture, a quick look at the league table and the basic statistics tells you that this fascinating battle pitches 15th-placed Brighton against 14th-placed West Ham, suggesting there isn't much between the two sides.
When you look at their respective goals scored and goals against figures for the seven Premier League matches played, you'll see that Brighton have scored eight and conceded 13 whilst West Ham have scored eight and shipped 12. Again, those particular goals statistics suggests there isn't much to split Brighton and West Ham going into this match.
The bookmakers have priced the match up as though it's hard to call with Brighton marginal favourites, but based on the teams’ respective recent form, I think they've got that wrong.
Yes Brighton are a much different proposition at home than they are away -that's not actually that hard as their away form is pathetic, but the Seagulls haven't won since beating Manchester United 3-2, and since then they've suffered defeat twice whilst having to scrap hard to earn score draws in their other two matches.
West Ham come into this match with great confidence and belief on the back of an impressive return of seven points from matches against Everton, Chelsea and Manchester United, a return that any side would settle for.
The results combined with decent performances have to make the Hammers very dangerous opponents right now, especially for a Brighton side that don't look loaded with quality or goals. If Glenn Murray doesn't get service and doesn't score then I don't really know where the Brighton goals come from.
Hammers to look for the knockout blow
West Ham now have more pace, power and quality in attack with Marko Arnautovic in top form. To back that attacking unit up, the Hammers have now also got more mobility and control in central midfield, and all of that combined gives them the chance to get results against any team.
I'm expecting the Londoners to really go for it at Brighton. The fact the hosts have conceded two or more goals in six of their seen Premier League matches has to give West Ham every chance to get their share of goals; the Hammers have scored six in their last three league matches and fired in eight in the League Cup last week.
Open encounter on the cards?
The profile of the game combined with the statistics suggest it's a game that could well be one for Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals backers to strongly consider as both Brighton and West Ham will see this as a game to go for. Three points up for grabs under the lights at the Amex should make for a great atmosphere and an open match to enjoy.
I was considering making Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals as my main plays in this contest. indeed I can't put anybody off backing those, even though they are slightly odds-on, but I do believe current form makes West Ham the right call to win this and a fair bet as well around the 2/1 (Bet365) mark.
Backing a West Ham win will be my main play and any Hammers win will do for me but I'm also going to take smaller stakes interests in West Ham to win & Over 2.5 Goals at 4/1 (Ladbrokes) and also West Ham to win and Both Teams To Score at 5/1 (Ladbrokes).
It just feels like a game that West Ham can win 2-1/3-1 and so if correct scores are more your thing those are the scorelines I'd consider.
I'll look forward to the game on Friday and I hope it's cracker filled with goals for all those that watch. I think the price is more than right to put your faith in West Ham to outscore Brighton and take maximum points.
Best Bets
Brighton v West Ham – West Ham to win (2/1 Bet365)
Brighton v West Ham – West Ham to win and Over 2.5 Goals (4/1 Ladbrokes)
Brighton v West Ham – West Ham to win and Both Teams To Score (5/1 Ladbrokes)
