Prediction: West Ham vs Brentford

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 23/10

Bookmaker: BetUS

This weekend’s Premier League round concludes on Monday night with a high-stakes London derby as West Ham host Brentford at the London Stadium.

Both sides are languishing near the bottom of the table and in desperate need of a morale-boosting win to steer their seasons back on track.
With pressure mounting on both managers, this clash could prove pivotal in shaping the direction of their campaigns.

West Ham

West Ham currently sit 19th in the Premier League table, having collected just four points from eight matches.

Their most recent outing was a 2-0 defeat away to Arsenal, where they struggled to create chances and were outplayed for large stretches. That result extended their winless run to four games, and the Hammers have now failed to score in three of those.

The appointment of Nuno Espírito Santo was intended to bring defensive structure and tactical discipline, but the team continues to look disjointed. Their home form has been particularly poor, with three straight defeats at the London Stadium and ten goals conceded in those matches.

Team News

West Ham will be without striker Niclas Füllkrug and midfielder George Earthy, both sidelined with thigh injuries. However, Tomas Soucek returns from suspension and is available for selection.

Espírito Santo may opt for a midfield trio of Soucek, Mateus Fernandes, and Soungoutou Magassa, with Bowen, Paquetá, and Summerville supporting Wilson in attack.

Brentford

Brentford are slightly better off in 16th place with seven points, but their form has been equally inconsistent. They suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in their last match, showing defensive resilience but lacking attacking threat.

That result marked their third consecutive away defeat, and they’ve now scored just once in their last three matches.

Keith Andrews’ side has shown flashes of promise, particularly in midfield transitions and set-piece situations, but they’ve struggled to convert chances. Igor Thiago remains their most potent goal threat, while Mikkel Damsgaard and Kevin Schade offer pace and creativity on the flanks.

Team News

Brentford are dealing with several injury concerns. Antoni Milambo is out for the season with an ACL injury, while Paris Maghoma and Gustavo Nunes are also sidelined with thigh problems. Aaron Hickey has returned to training and may feature, while Yehor Yarmolyuk is a doubt due to a knock.

The expected lineup includes Caoimhin Kelleher in goal, with a back four of Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, and Hickey. Henderson and Yarmolyuk will anchor the midfield, with Ouattara, Damsgaard, and Schade supporting Thiago up front.

Head-to-Head: Brentford’s Recent Dominance

Brentford have enjoyed a dominant run against West Ham in recent seasons. Since their promotion to the Premier League, the Bees have won all five league meetings between the sides. That includes a 2-0 victory at the London Stadium last season, and West Ham have failed to score in three of those encounters.

This impressive head-to-head record gives Brentford a psychological edge heading into Monday’s clash, although both teams’ current form suggests a more evenly matched contest this time around.

Conclusion

This match is a must-win for both teams, but especially for West Ham, who are in desperate need of a result to kickstart their season under Nuno Espírito Santo. Brentford’s poor away form and injury concerns may give the Hammers a slight advantage, but their own defensive issues and lack of cohesion make a win far from guaranteed.

Given both sides’ vulnerabilities and recent form, a draw seems the most likely outcome. Expect moments of quality from Bowen and Thiago, but not enough to separate the teams.

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 23/10

Bookmaker: BetUS