West Ham v Brentford preview: Team news, head-to-head, prediction
West Ham return to Premier League action on Saturday as Brentford make the trip across the capital.
The Hammers had a week’s break during the FA Cup weekend after already being eliminated at the hands of Aston Villa in January.
This has handed Graham Potter the perfect opportunity to work with his side ahead of a London derby clash against Thomas Frank on 15 February.
The Irons will be keen to bounce back with a win against the Bees after losing 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in their last outing.
Preview
Potter has already impressed the London Stadium faithful during his spell as head coach after taking over from Julen Lopetegui earlier in the year.
With that being said, the Hammers have only secured one win in their last five games which will be something the manager will be keen to improve on.
Having Jarrod Bowen back against Enzo Maresca’s side had a positive impact and the skipper will be hoping to replicate that in East London.
This won’t be an easy task against Brentford who have had a largely positive campaign despite also winning just one of their last five.
The Bees have similarly had a week away from playing after being dumped out of the FA Cup by Plymouth Argyle which could make this clash in E20 much more interesting.
Form Guide [all competitions]
West Ham: LDLWL
Brentford: LWLDL
Team News
Both sides will be turning up at the London Stadium with lengthy injury lists to contend with.
Potter is set to be without Lucas Paqueta and Edson Alvarez which is frustrating given how important they have been in recent weeks.
This pair will join Crysencio Summerville and Jean-Clair Todibo who look unlikely to return while Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug remain sidelined for the foreseeable.
The Bees look set to be without full-back options Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry while Igor Thiago and Josh DaSilva also look set to miss out in East London.
Predicted lineups
West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Mavropanos, Emerson, Irving, Soucek, Soler, Kudus, Bowen, Ings
Brentford: Flekken, Ajer, Collins, van den Berg, Lewis-Potter, Norgaard, Janelt, Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade, Wissa
Betting Odds
West Ham: 27/20
Draw: 5/2
Brentford: 15/8
(All odds according to bet365, 12 February)
Prediction: West Ham 2-2 Brentford
This clash feels very much on a knife-edge.
Both sides have injuries in forward areas while having, near-enough, fully fit defensive lines, which will make for an interesting game.
The Bees are so positive going forward, especially through Wissa and Mbeumo who have been impressing all season long in the Premier League.
By comparison, the Hammers have the goalscoring prowess of Bowen to rely on as well as the qualities of Kudus and Soler behind him.
As a result, there is every chance there could be plenty of goals in this one but will all depend on the quality of defensive performances on show in East London.