West Ham vs Brighton | 21.12.24 | League | Predictions, Line-up & Match Thread

[stubbo-admin]

Match Centre:

Odds: 

West Ham: 19/10

Draw: 11/4

Brighton: 27/20


Pre-Match Press Conference:
Official Press Conference
Tactical Preview: 
Analytics United Preview

Watch-along:
TBA

Streams:


https://sporthd.live/match/slg-onl-West ... psF5R182SX

https://www.viprow.nu/epl/west-ham-unit ... ine-stream

(With all live streams be mindful they can carry viruses etc.  Don't click on any ads and use a VPN).
  



So....on to the seagulls. Soler is suspended for this one, and Emerson is back...although I'd say Coufal was very good in the last game. Not clear yet if Todibo is recovered from his damaged toe.

My lineup

​​​​​​Fabianski

Coufal.  Todibo.   Kilman.  AWB

Soucek

Alvarez.        Paqueta

Bowen (c).     Fullkrug.          Kudus

Prediction:

​​​​​​The team once again has motivation through tragedy, with JLo's father passing away this week...I'd expect to seem them come out the blocks in this game.  Could be a basketball style match with us at home, Brighton playing a very high line, and also looking to get back with a win.

Score: 2-2 (Fullkrug, Kudus)​​​​

[stubbo-admin]

It works fine for me in Solers absence. Spot on line-up and formation.

And if nothing else, at least it'll mean Kudus FINALLY gets to play in Midfield behind all the Forwards for Fickles benefit.

I just can't see a scenario where Kudus plays at 8. Neither Lopetegui or Moyes have played Kudus there even for 5 mins in a match, even when chasing a game.  

And yet, that is exactly the position he has been playing when he, Bowen and Paqueta really click.

Absolute rubbish.

He hasn't lined up at 8 all season (playing in the line of midfielders behind the forwards line in a 4-3-3. Or last under Moyes where he played almost exclusively off the right or left, with the odd attempt at 10. He has never played as the 8 in our team.

He has of course played off the right and driven inside, but that is very different to lining up in central midfield, with all the responsibility and positioning that comes with it. 

[Sir Alf]

Can we perform in 2 back to back games for the first time under Lop?  Ok we werent outstanding against Bournemouth but did look relatively solid, worked hard as a team and did not seem as open in midfield as normal.

Of course a home game with the onus in us to be on the front foot might see us committing too many firwatd and being vulnerable to Brighton counter attacks.  

Anyway, if we can put in a decent performance it might be the start of something. Still not convinced tbh but live in hope. 

[Hammer and Pickle]

I like Pickle's team but would drop Alvarez for Soucek:

      ​​​​​​Fabianski

AW-B. Todibo. Kilman. Emerson

                 Soucek

          Kudus     Paqueta

Bowen (c) Fullkrug Summerville

I haven't quite decided if that's suicide or not. Less risky if Todibo is fit. Also not sure if Fullkrug can go the 90. Our attack found another gear when he came on against Bournemouth, and the sooner he can get back to 70-90 minutes the better. When was the last time we beat Brighton?

It works fine for me in Solers absence. Spot on line-up and formation.

And if nothing else, at least it'll mean Kudus FINALLY gets to play in Midfield behind all the Forwards for Fickles benefit.

I just can't see a scenario where Kudus plays at 8. Neither Lopetegui or Moyes have played Kudus there even for 5 mins in a match, even when chasing a game.  

And yet, that is exactly the position he has been playing when he, Bowen and Paqueta really click.

[Sarge]

100-1 West ham win both halves and Bowen scores
happy xmas

[Nurse Ratched]

5-0!

[Steady]

Looks like a nailed on 1-1 borefest

[Massive Attack]

3-1 Bowen and Paqueta

[honky cat]

Think it will be emerson back at LB and Rodriguez (not my choice) for soler. Otherwise no change to Bournemouth starters. 
We might win lose or draw. No idea. Another 10 seconds of your life you won't get back so thanks for reading.

[twoleftfeet]

I like Pickle's team but would drop Alvarez for Soucek:

      ​​​​​​Fabianski

AW-B. Todibo. Kilman. Emerson

                 Soucek

          Kudus     Paqueta

Bowen (c) Fullkrug Summerville

I haven't quite decided if that's suicide or not. Less risky if Todibo is fit. Also not sure if Fullkrug can go the 90. Our attack found another gear when he came on against Bournemouth, and the sooner he can get back to 70-90 minutes the better. When was the last time we beat Brighton?

It works fine for me in Solers absence. Spot on line-up and formation.

And if nothing else, at least it'll mean Kudus FINALLY gets to play in Midfield behind all the Forwards for Fickles benefit.

I just can't see a scenario where Kudus plays at 8. Neither Lopetegui or Moyes have played Kudus there even for 5 mins in a match, even when chasing a game.  

I’d have that line up except Scarles for Emerson 

[Tomsdad]

Not a good record against Brighton, but I think we are worth a draw.

1-1

[Mex Martillo]

That's surprising as Kudus has the skills to do an 8 attacking central midfielder very well. He really does need to start finding other forward players more often though. It's great how he keeps hold of the ball, but very disappointing how often the result of his twists and turns is a pass back.

[stubbo-admin]

I like Pickle's team but would drop Alvarez for Soucek:

      ​​​​​​Fabianski

AW-B. Todibo. Kilman. Emerson

                 Soucek

          Kudus     Paqueta

Bowen (c) Fullkrug Summerville

I haven't quite decided if that's suicide or not. Less risky if Todibo is fit. Also not sure if Fullkrug can go the 90. Our attack found another gear when he came on against Bournemouth, and the sooner he can get back to 70-90 minutes the better. When was the last time we beat Brighton?

It works fine for me in Solers absence. Spot on line-up and formation.

And if nothing else, at least it'll mean Kudus FINALLY gets to play in Midfield behind all the Forwards for Fickles benefit.

I just can't see a scenario where Kudus plays at 8. Neither Lopetegui or Moyes have played Kudus there even for 5 mins in a match, even when chasing a game.  

[John Coffey]

Not sure how anyone can have watched our performances this season and see there is any contest between todibo and mavboat. Todibo is probably more effective than Kilman and certainly doesn't drop a clanger every game.

Agreed. If as rumoured, we are looking at bringing in another centre back, it’s Mavropanos that’s on his way out. Liability. 

[Massive Attack]

Not sure how anyone can have watched our performances this season and see there is any contest between todibo and mavboat. Todibo is probably more effective than Kilman and certainly doesn't drop a clanger every game.

Nah, he just drops a right hook instead.

[kylay]

Not sure how anyone can have watched our performances this season and see there is any contest between todibo and mavboat. Todibo is probably more effective than Kilman and certainly doesn't drop a clanger every game.

[Sir Alf]

Stavros will start. Be afraid, very afraid !!

*** foresees penalty, handball, dangerous freekicks in tea leaves ***

[Jaan Kenbrovin]

I think we are more than capable of giving these a game and winning on our day, but I still haven't see enough from us to feel any confidence in our overall play.

We are very sloppy in possession and give far too many chances, to all opposition whatever status. Brighton will keep the ball well and force our dodgy CB pairing into mistakes. Unfortunately without Antonio I don't expect the same from us.

We desperately need Kudus to return to form as Bowen can't do it all on his own.
 

[Sydney_Iron]

Line up, as per the OP, although not sure about Todibo? maybe Mav instead.

Hoping we can kick on from the last 2 games, granted they were not classics but at least we didn't capitulate, Brighton do seem to have lost a bit of form so let's hope we can capitalize on that and 3 points and 3 games on the trot undefeated.

2-0 and the big Kraut again on the scoresheet.

COYI

[Pshyco scored all 4]

Put kudus in pacquetas position . And switch pacman to solers . Summerville on the left . Problem solved . 

[Massive Attack]

I would imagine the injured player being trferenced by Lop was Todibo or “Toe”dibo as one headline mentioned because his toe injury seems to not be improving?

More like for his bad attitoed.

Fuck off.

[Massive Attack]

Saved for the weekend squad I'd imagine, as he was on the bench on Monday for the 1st team squad. I believe Lopetegui is the 1st manager to select him for the senior team too.

[Sir Alf]

I would imagine the injured player being trferenced by Lop was Todibo or “Toe”dibo as one headline mentioned because his toe injury seems to not be improving?

[Sir Alf]

Orford was removed early from the last U21 game on Tues against Sutton Utd ( FA trophy league comp ?) . I only watched the last 30 mins. Was he injured or is he being saved to be part of the squad this Saturday?  

And Orford, only watched him in a few games on YouTube for the U21s. Style seemed more akin to Carrick than an all action, battling central midfielder?  He did press a bit but more of a player that glides with the ball and looks to create chances for others like Soler or even an in form Paqueta ( in form is a distant memory for him mind ).

There was a young lad who came on for us who looked very industrious and neat / tidy in centre mud. Bit small but so was Kante as is Caicedo.  Think his name was Akpata. Only turned 18 this year and its his first U21 season and just read he’s a Dagenham boy. Hope he continues to develop because his non stop running, pressing and tenacious style is exactly what we’re missing in midfield.  Also read that him and Orford have been the source of most assists ? Anyway, heres hoping him and/or Orford, Scarles, Potts, Earthy can start to step up to senior level in the next 2 seasons
 

[Mad Ferret]

Lopetegui in the press conference said one player looks like they might be missing tomorrow due to injury but wouldn't name who that is. Has it come out who it is yet? If it's Fullkrug he can fuck right off. 

Hopefully Stavropanos

[Massive Attack]

Lopetegui in the press conference said one player looks like they might be missing tomorrow due to injury but wouldn't name who that is. Has it come out who it is yet via 'itks'? If it's Fullkrug he can fuck right off.