West Ham had to wait until the first leg of their Conference League play-off against Danish side Viborg to taste their first joy of the season. During the week the Hammers put a significant mortgage on the passage of the round and consequently on qualification for the group stage of the third Uefa competition. Opening the dances, at the London Stadium, was Gianluca Scamacca, the young Italian national team striker bought a few weeks ago from Sassuolo for around 40 million euros. In the 3-1 win that, in fact, makes next Thursday’s return leg a formality, Bowen and Antonio also scored. A victory that David Moyes hopes will be instrumental in sounding redemption after the double defeat against Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.
The London outfit are still on zero points after the first 180 minutes of the season. It is also surprising that Antonio and his team-mates were unable to score at least one goal against the Citizens and Forest. With regard to the match at the City Ground, however, it must be considered that bad luck also played a role: for the chances West Ham were able to build – they also hit several woodpeckers – they certainly deserved more.
Brighton seem to have fared much better, even if last Saturday against Newcastle one would have expected something more after the coup on the opening day against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Instead the match against the Magpies ended in a scoreless draw, with Graham Potter’s Seagulls repeatedly having chances to take the lead.
Lallana and Potter ©️Ansafoto
The Prediction
Attending the first two games, the healthier side are Brighton, who put in two excellent performances against Manchester United and Newcastle. The Seagulls look likely to pick up at least a point against a West Ham side who will also be affected by the double midweek Conference League fixture.
West Ham-Brighton’s likely line-up
WEST HAM (4-3-3): Fabianski; Coufal, Zouma, Johnson, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice, Fornals; Bowen, Antonio, Benrahma.
BRIGHTON (3-4-2-1): Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Webster; March, Mac Allister, Caicedo, Trossard; Gross, Lallana; Welbeck.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
