Jamie Carragher makes West Ham prediction v Brighton
Jamie Carragher has backed West Ham United to continue their uptick in form by beating Brighton on 21 December.
Giving his preview for Sky Sports’ Super 6 (18 December), Carragher predicted that it will finish 2-1 to the Hammers at the London Stadium, having drawn 1-1 with Bournemouth on Monday.
Julen Lopetegui’s side has a chance to go three games unbeaten for the first time in the Spaniard’s tenure and face a Brighton side who are currently four games without a win themselves.
West Ham have golden opportunity to make statement v Brighton
Lopetegui’s record so far in charge of the Hammers doesn’t provide much hope that they can make it three straight games without defeat this weekend, but there won’t be many better times to face Brighton.
The Seagulls have drawn and lost two each of their last four matches and were well off the pace in a 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace – who remain below West Ham in the table – last time out.
Brighton’s last trip to London also ended in a 3-1 defeat to Fulham on 5 December, and this should give Lopetegui’s side further confidence that their two-game unbeaten streak at present can be extended.
Beating a Wolves side in disarray and being pegged back by Bournemouth three minutes after opening the scoring aren’t exactly signs that the Hammers have finally clicked, but have brought about positives.
Palace winger Ismaila Sarr ran Brighton ragged last time out, and with Lucas Paqueta seemingly back on board with the Lopetegui project, the Brazilian could be key to unlocking a vulnerable Seagulls defence.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are preparing a bid to sign a “prized” Championship striker in the January transfer window.
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