EPL: Brighton vs West Ham Betting Preview
Brighton Lead EPL Through Two Matches
Both Teams Unbeaten Thus Far
Brighton has opened up the 2023-24 Premier League season brilliantly, with two wins through two games. They currently top the table on goal difference because they won both of those matches by a three-goal margin. The Seagulls welcome West Ham, who are also unbeaten, to town on Saturday in an intriguing matchup. We’ll take a look at Brighton’s start to the season and the latest team news and odds in our Brighton vs West Ham betting preview.
Brighton vs West Ham
Day/Time:
Location: Falmer Stadium, Brighton, England
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Since Brighton made their Premier League debut in 2017, this has been a draw-heavy fixture on the Premier League schedule. Brighton are unbeaten in the 12 matches since, with six wins and six draws. However, Brighton have won the last three meetings and outscored West Ham 6-0 last season.
Brighton Off to Stellar Start
Brighton’s start to the season has been nothing short of remarkable. Roberto de Zerbi’s Seagulls have scored four goals in each of their two opening games and are on top of the EPL standings. Brighton took down newly promoted Luton Town in their first match by a 4-1 scoreline. Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra both scored debut goals for the Seagulls.
On Matchday 2, Kaoru Mitoma scored a terrific solo goal to put Brighton ahead of Wolves 1-0 in the first half. The Seagulls’ counter-attacking play was too much for the Wolves to handle, as they scored three goals in the first eight minutes of the second half. De Zerbi’s men finished the match with another 4-1 win. Our Brighton vs West Ham betting preview notes that Solly March scored a double vs. Wolves and is in the joint lead in the EPL with three goals.
Premier League bettors will know that Brighton were one of the best ATS bets last season. They outperformed expectations by finishing sixth in the league in 2022-23 and will participate in the Europa League for the first time this season. Even though Brighton has sold the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo, and Robert Sanchez this Summer, they still have a deep squad that can challenge for a Champions League place.
West Ham Up and Running
West Ham United’s first match of the season finished in a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth. Their first home match of the season was on Matchday 2 vs. a new-look Chelsea. James Ward-Prowse managed an assist seven minutes into his West Ham debut as he found Nayef Aguerd on a corner kick. Carney Chukwuemeka equalized for Chelsea just over 20 minutes later and proceedings were level at the half.
Against the run of play, Ward-Prowse got his second assist of the match when he found Michail Antonio. Aguerd had an eventful day, with a goal and a sending-off due to two yellow cards. Still, West Ham won a late penalty that Lucas Paqueta confidently slotted home and got a 3-1 win. Even after just one appearance, Ward-Prowse is in joint-first place in the Premier League stats with two assists.
The Hammers may have lost Declan Rice and Gianluca Scamacca this Summer but have added some solid players in recent weeks. In addition to Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez joined from Ajax to bolster the midfield. Aguerd may leave a glaring hole in the heart of defense while he’s suspended, but West Ham just brought in Dinos Mavrapanos from Stuttgart. He could make his debut come Saturday.
Match Analysis & Odds
The oddsmakers have indeed started to respect Brighton. Our Brighton vs West Ham betting preview notes that the Seagulls are one-goal home favorites for Saturday’s match. Roberto de Zerbi’s Brighton comes in as -190 moneyline favorites for the match, and Brighton -1 sits at -120 odds. Brighton went 10-4-5 at home last season, and they’ve scored the most goals in the EPL so far.
Like Brighton, West Ham have gotten on the scoresheet and conceded, in both of their matches. West Ham +1 displays even odds as the Hammers are +440 underdogs in this match between two clubs participating in the Europa League this season. West Ham’s road record was their downfall last season, as they avoided defeat in just six of 19 matches.
Brighton have scored in 16 EPL matches running as over three goals are priced at -120 odds here. Both teams to score stands at -135 odds, and I wouldn’t bet against both teams scoring here. Brighton’s counterattacks are dangerous, and West Ham has a weapon on dead ball situations, in James Ward-Prowse. Bettors thinking the teams may split the points can take a draw at +370 odds.
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