West Ham United vs Brighton & Hove Albion: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | Premier League 2025/26

On: December 27, 2025 10:55 PM

---Advertisement---

West Ham vs Brighton — Match Preview

A pivotal Premier League clash takes place under the lights at London Stadium on Tuesday, 30 December 2025. West Ham United are in a perilous position, sitting 18th in the relegation zone with just 13 points. The Hammers are winless in their last five matches, most recently suffering a damaging 3–0 defeat to Manchester City. They face a Brighton side currently 9th (24 points) who are looking to rediscover their winning touch after a goalless draw with Sunderland. Having drawn 1–1 just weeks ago in the reverse fixture, both sides know each other well, but the pressure is firmly on the hosts to find a survival lifeline.

West Ham vs Brighton — Match Info

Competition: Premier League (Matchday 19)
Venue: London Stadium, London (Capacity: 62,500)
Date: Tuesday, 30 December 2025
Kickoff: 19:30 GMT | 20:30 CET | 14:30 ET
Referee: Michael Salisbury (ENG)

West Ham vs Brighton — Match Stakes

West Ham United (18th — 13 pts):

Win → Moves to 16 pts; could potentially climb out of the bottom three depending on other results.
Draw → Stops the rot of consecutive defeats but does little to ease relegation fears.
Loss → Anchors them in the drop zone heading into 2026; fan unrest likely to increase.

Brighton (9th — 24 pts):

Win → Moves to 27 pts; reignites their push for European qualification spots (Top 7).
Draw → Keeps them mid-table; extends unbeaten run against West Ham but viewed as points dropped.
Loss → A setback against a struggling side; risks slipping into the bottom half of the table.

West Ham vs Brighton — Team News

West Ham United:

Fullkrug N. — Questionable (Achilles tendon irritation)
Alvarez E. — Available (Key defensive midfielder)
Kudus M. — Available (Key creative threat)
Tactical Note: After conceding 3 goals to Man City, defensive rotation is expected. The manager may recall Mavropanos to deal with Brighton’s physicality.

Brighton & Hove Albion:

Baleba C. — Out (International Duty – AFCON)
Van Hecke J. — Out (Illness)
Tzimas S. — Out (Knee Injury)
March S. — Questionable (Knee – Lack of match fitness)
Mitoma K. — Available (Expected to start after returning to fitness)
Dunk L. — Available (Returns from suspension to captain the side)

West Ham vs Brighton — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

West Ham United

20/12 — 0–3 vs Manchester City (Premier League)
14/12 — 2–3 vs Aston Villa (Premier League)
07/12 — 1–1 vs Brighton (Premier League)
05/12 — 1–1 vs Manchester United (Premier League)
30/11 — 0–2 vs Liverpool (Premier League)

Brighton

20/12 — 0–0 vs Sunderland (Premier League)
13/12 — 0–2 vs Liverpool (Premier League)
07/12 — 1–1 vs West Ham (Premier League)
04/12 — 3–4 vs Aston Villa (Premier League)
30/11 — 2–0 vs Nottingham Forest (Premier League)

West Ham vs Brighton — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)

07/12/2025 — Brighton 1–1 West Ham (Premier League)
26/04/2025 — Brighton 3–2 West Ham (Premier League)
21/12/2024 — West Ham 1–1 Brighton (Premier League)
03/01/2024 — West Ham 0–0 Brighton (Premier League)
26/08/2023 — Brighton 1–3 West Ham (Premier League)

West Ham vs Brighton — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

West Ham United (4-2-3-1)

Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus; Antonio

Brighton (4-2-3-1)

Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Igor, Estupinan; Wieffer, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck

West Ham vs Brighton — Impact Bench

West Ham: Summerville (Pace/Dribbling), Ings (Goal poacher)

Brighton: Ferguson (Finisher), Enciso (Long-range shooting)

West Ham vs Brighton — Tactical Analysis

West Ham United

West Ham are leaking goals at an alarming rate (-16 GD). At home, they are forced to attack, but this often leaves them exposed in transition. They will look to Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus to carry the ball forward quickly. Their best chance is to disrupt Brighton’s build-up play and score from set-pieces, where they have a height advantage.

Brighton

Fabian Hürzeler’s side will dominate possession at the London Stadium. With Kaoru Mitoma back on the left, they have a genuine 1v1 threat to pin back West Ham’s right-back. Without Carlos Baleba in midfield, Mats Wieffer must control the tempo. Brighton will try to lure West Ham’s press and play through the lines to expose the space behind the Hammers’ defense.

West Ham vs Brighton — Key Battles

Bowen vs Estupinan — West Ham’s top scorer vs Brighton’s attacking fullback.
Paqueta vs Wieffer — Battle for midfield creativity vs control.
Antonio vs Dunk — Physical duel between striker and captain.
Wan-Bissaka vs Mitoma — One of the best 1v1 defenders vs one of the best dribblers.

West Ham vs Brighton — Spotlight Players

West Ham United — Lucas Paqueta

The Brazilian needs to step up. In a relegation scrap, his quality on the ball is the difference between a draw and a win. He must link play better than he did against City.

Brighton — Kaoru Mitoma

The Japanese winger is a nightmare for defenders. After returning to fitness, his ability to create chances from nothing is exactly what Brighton need to turn draws into wins.

West Ham vs Brighton — Prediction

West Ham 1–2 Brighton

West Ham’s confidence is rock bottom, and their defensive frailties are consistently punished. Brighton, despite their own inconsistencies, have more attacking variety and a clearer tactical identity. Expect the Seagulls to exploit West Ham’s desperation and leave London with all three points.