West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion will aim to end their 2025 on a high on Tuesday.
Two sides searching for momentum will collide under the lights at the London Stadium on Tuesday night, as West Ham United host Brighton & Hove Albion in a meeting that could shape how both clubs close out a frustrating calendar year.
Neither side has tasted victory in the Premier League throughout December, and with pressure mounting on both benches, this fixture carries greater significance than a typical midweek encounter.
West Ham’s campaign has drifted alarmingly off course since the appointment of Nuno Espírito Santo in late September. While hopes were high that the Portuguese coach would spark an immediate revival, results have failed to follow. The Hammers have managed just one league win under his tenure, leaving them marooned in the relegation zone as the year draws to a close.
Their most recent league success came back in November against Burnley, and since then, West Ham have collected just three points from eight matches. Defensive frailties remain their most glaring issue, with 36 goals conceded, the second-worst record in the division. Even when performances show glimpses of improvement, lapses in concentration have consistently undermined progress.
Tuesday’s fixture represents both an opportunity and a risk. Another defeat would deepen concerns ahead of the New Year, while a positive result could provide a much-needed psychological lift for a side struggling for confidence.
Brighton & Hove Albion arrive in East London in a similarly uncertain state. After narrowly missing out on European qualification last season, expectations were high that Fabian Hurzeler’s side would build on that momentum. Instead, inconsistency has defined their campaign.
The Seagulls have won six, drawn six, and lost six of their 18 league matches, leaving them stranded in mid-table. They remain within touching distance of the European places, but only just. A win on Tuesday could see them climb as high as eighth, the same position they finished last season, but recent form has offered little reassurance.
Brighton are winless in their last five league outings, and they have conceded nine goals during that stretch, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities that have crept into their game. Their inability to close out matches has been particularly costly, as evidenced earlier this month when they surrendered a late equaliser to West Ham at the Amex Stadium following a stoppage-time goal from Georginio Rutter.
With both sides desperate to end the year on a positive note, the contest could initially be cagey. West Ham may look to play with greater physicality and directness, while Brighton will aim to dominate possession and probe patiently for openings.
Defensive discipline, or the lack of it, may once again be decisive. Both teams have shown a tendency to concede soft goals, and whichever side manages to stay compact for longer is likely to emerge on top. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
West Ham United
West Ham United head into Tuesday’s clash with Brighton still dealing with a number of absentees, although they emerged from their most recent outing without any fresh injury concerns. :ukasz Fabiański is unavailable due to a lower back injury, leaving David Moyes without one of his most experienced figures.
The Hammers are additionally weakened by international commitments, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Diouf both away on Africa Cup of Nations duty. Their absence limits depth in wide and defensive areas, forcing the manager to reshuffle once again.
With results continuing to elude them, Moyes may look to inject renewed energy into his attack. Callum Wilson, currently the club’s second-highest scorer this season, could return to the starting XI as West Ham search for a sharper edge in front of goal.
West Ham are expected to line up in a 4-3-2-1 system, offering defensive structure while allowing creativity between the lines. Alphonse Areola is set to start in goal, providing shot-stopping reliability and composure under pressure. The back four should feature Kyle Walker-Peters at right-back, Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman forming the central defensive partnership, and Oliver Scarles operating on the left side of defence.
In midfield, Tomas Soucek is likely to anchor the trio, bringing physicality and aerial presence. He is expected to be supported by Freddie Potts, who offers energy and ball-carrying ability, and Mateus Fernandes, whose role will be to link midfield and attack while maintaining positional discipline.
Further forward, Lucas Paqueta is expected to operate in one of the advanced midfield roles, tasked with creativity and ball progression. Alongside him, Crysencio Summerville should provide pace and direct dribbling from wide areas, stretching Brighton’s defensive shape.
Leading the line, Jarrod Bowen is expected to operate as the central striker, using his movement and finishing instincts to lead the press and pose a constant threat in behind.
Probable Lineup (4-3-2-1): Areola; Walker-Peters, Todibo, Kilman, Scarles; Soucek, Potts, Fernandes; Paqueta, Summerville; Bowen
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton head into Tuesday night’s clash with West Ham in relatively good health, having avoided any new injury setbacks in their most recent outing. The Seagulls have also been boosted by the return of several key figures, offering Fabian Hurzeler greater flexibility as he looks to steer his side back toward winning ways.
Danny Welbeck is back in contention after returning to the matchday squad last time out, and the experienced forward is pushing for a starting role following his recovery. Welbeck has already scored seven goals this season and remains an important outlet in Brighton’s attacking structure. Jan Paul van Hecke has also returned to availability, strengthening the defensive unit after a spell on the sidelines.
However, Brighton will still be without Adam Webster, who remains sidelined with a long-term injury, while Carlos Baleba is unavailable after being called up to represent Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations. Their absences slightly limit depth in defence and midfield but do not significantly disrupt the core of Hurzeler’s system.
Brighton are expected to line up in a 3-4-3 formation, a system that allows them to dominate possession while maintaining flexibility across the pitch. Bart Verbruggen is set to start in goal, offering composure in distribution and strong shot-stopping ability. The back three should consist of Diego Coppola, Jan Paul van Hecke, and captain Lewis Dunk, with the veteran organising the defensive line and stepping forward when needed to initiate build-up play.
In midfield, Ferdi Kadioglu is expected to operate as the right wing-back, providing energy, width, and defensive cover, while Maxim De Cuyper occupies the left wing-back role, offering overlapping runs and crossing ability. Centrally, Yasin Ayari is likely to partner Jack Hinshelwood, forming a balanced midfield duo capable of controlling possession and disrupting opposition transitions.
The front three should feature Yankuba Minteh on the right, Danny Welbeck through the middle, and Diego Gomez operating from the left. This trio offers a blend of pace, movement, and creativity, with Welbeck’s experience and link-up play serving as a focal point for Brighton’s attacking phases.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Verbruggen; Coppola, Van Hecke, Dunk; Kadioglu, Ayari, Hinshelwood, De Cuyper; Minteh, Welbeck, Gomez
Key Stats
- West Ham United have won just one of their last nine Premier League matches, collecting only three points in that span and conceding an average of two goals per game.
- Brighton & Hove Albion are winless in their last five league fixtures, drawing three and losing two, but have scored in four of those matches despite defensive struggles.
- West Ham have conceded 36 goals this season, the second-worst defensive record in the Premier League, while Brighton have conceded nine goals in their last five matches alone.
- Brighton have not beaten West Ham away from home since 2018, failing to win in their last five visits to the London Stadium.
- Both teams have scored in each of the last four meetings between these sides.
Player to Watch
Jarrod Bowen
The Englishman remains West Ham United’s most reliable attacking threat and the player most capable of turning tight matches in the Hammers’ favour. Even during a difficult run of form for the club, Bowen has consistently delivered moments of quality through his movement, work rate, and finishing ability.
Operating either from the right flank or as a central forward, Bowen’s greatest strength lies in his intelligent positioning. He times his runs exceptionally well, often drifting into pockets of space between defenders or attacking the far post when crosses arrive from wide areas. His ability to combine direct running with composed finishing makes him a constant danger, especially against teams that push their defensive line high.
Bowen’s work off the ball is equally important. He presses aggressively, tracks back when required, and often sets the tone for West Ham’s intensity. Against a Brighton side that prefers to build from the back, his pressing and anticipation could be key in forcing turnovers in dangerous areas.
With West Ham searching for leadership and attacking inspiration, Bowen’s influence could be decisive. If the Hammers are to end their winless run and take something from this contest, much will depend on their talisman delivering when it matters most.
Prediction
West Ham United 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Both sides enter this fixture in need of a response, but West Ham United’s struggles at the back and Brighton & Hove Albion’s recent defensive leaks suggest this could turn into a more open contest than either manager would like.
Brighton appear slightly better balanced in midfield and more capable of controlling tempo, while West Ham will rely heavily on moments of individual quality, particularly from Jarrod Bowen, to stay competitive. With both teams carrying confidence issues and defensive vulnerabilities, a share of the points feels the most likely outcome.
