Brighton vs. West Ham Betting Tips: Fouls double makes appeal on Saturday
Get set for an action-packed clash as Brighton & Hove Albion host West Ham United at the American Express Community Stadium on Saturday evening, live on Sky Sports Main Event with a 17:30 kick off. The Hammers are out for redemption after a heavy 4-0 defeat in their last encounter on the South Coast.
Brighton have made a roaring start to the season, marking their highest-ever Premier League finish of sixth place with emphatic 4-1 victories against Luton Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Roberto De Zerbi's Seagulls have climbed to the top of the league table, showcasing their prowess with 16 wins out of 34 matches since his appointment. As they gear up for Europa League group stage draws, they aim to continue their dominance against West Ham, having beaten them in their last three league meetings by a convincing aggregate of 9-1.
Brighton's Julio Enciso is facing a setback with a knee injury from training this week, potentially leading to an extended absence, which could lead to Joao Pedro returning to the starting XI. With Jakub Moder as the only other concern, Adam Webster should return in defence alongside captain Lewis Dunk.
West Ham, led by David Moyes, look to bounce back from their last visit to Brighton, where they battled relegation concerns. Now, holding the Europa Conference League title and a bright start to the new campaign, they're a revitalised force. Despite the absence of Declan Rice, they've clinched four points from two matches, including a noteworthy 3-1 victory against Chelsea with 10 men. The Hammers are aiming to break a 12-game winless streak against Brighton, with their last victory against them dating back to 2012.
West Ham's new addition Konstantinos Mavropanos won't make his debut due to a minor injury, while Thilo Kehrer returns after recovering from a back issue. The Hammers miss the suspended Nayef Aguerd after his red card vs Chelsea last weekend. Options for David Moyes though to partner Zouma with Kehrer, Ogbonna or even last week's debutant, Edson Alvarez capable of filling that void.
Brighton vs West Ham Tips
The attacking impetus from Brighton will be certain to test this West Ham defence that held resolutely to take all three points with ten men against Chelsea last weekend. In that game, Coufal picked up one foul with Emerson picking up two and a booking.
Coufal has now registered a foul in eleven of his last thirteen games for West Ham, a solid chance this streak continues. With Joao Pedro being fouled seven times in just 121 minutes of football this season, he will look to drift wide into Coufals area increasing his chances further of picking up a foul. Not to mention the tricky Mitoma with his direct running down that same flank. Emerson has also started the season with a bang picking up back to back yellow cards. Hes now made two fouls in all of his last three appearances which includes the Europa Conference final at the end of last season.
I was very tempted to back both of these to be booked, however the prices are just rather poor coming in at just into double figures, but still a decent alternative if you don’t have access to the bookmakers offering fouls.
With Emerson hitting this line in all of his last three, with a busy evening on the cards I like the chances that he continues picking up fouls against this Brighton side. Coufal isn’t the biggest hitter of multiple fouls, but in the thirteen games mentioned earlier, he managed two or more in four of those. So far this season against Brighton, the Luton right back, Andersen, picked up four fouls, with Semedo for Wolves picking up two. With Pedro likely back in the starting XI where he was benched against Wolves, we can expect to see an increase in the opposition fouls.
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