West Ham United make the trip down the south coast on Saturday to face Brighton & Hove Albion, with hopes to banish the ignominious 3-0 home defeat inflicted by the Seagulls at the London Stadium in October.
The Hammers will be without a host of their first teamers, including Pedro Obiang, Marko Arnautovic, Manuel Lanzini, Andy Carroll and Edimilson Fernandes. Luckily for David Moyes, Jose Fonte, Michail Antonio and Winston Reid are all in contention to be included in the 18-man squad against Brighton. Arthur Masuaku will be serving the second game of his six game suspension for spitting at Wigan Athletic’s Nick Powell.
Time For A Change
West Ham will be keen for a return to winning ways. After initially starting the year unbeaten, David Moyes’ side have faltered, losing 2-0 away to Wigan Athletic and drawing 1-1 to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup and Premier League respectively.
Moyes will be facing the prospect of having to deal with a much-revamped squad after witnessing the departures of Andre Ayew and Diafra Sakho to Swansea City and Rennes respectively in the past week for a reported combined total of £26 million.
Fringe players Reece Burke, Reece Oxford, Toni Martinez and Moses Makasi have also headed out of the club on loan. New signing Jordan Hughill we be available for selection after his deadline day move from Preston North End. The Middlesbrough-born striker has scored 3 goals in 11 Championship appearances this season.
Opposition
Brighton & Hove Albion, on the other hand, also come into the contest off the back of a 1-1 draw after a second-half Jack Stephens goal cancelled out Glenn Murray’s ninth goal of the season to deny the Seagulls all three points against Southampton.
Former West Ham man and current Brighton manager Chris Hughton will be hoping Leonardo Ulloa will be closer to securing a starting berth after playing the final 13 minutes at St Mary’s.