Brighton v West Ham Preview

Tomorrow brings game number two of the season. The trip to Brighton. A fan favourite by the looks of the number of requests for tickets online.

I can’t say I’ve ever made it to Brighton, but the missus has and says it is a great town. Perhaps one day I’ll be the one trying to source tickets online for this fixture as I would doubt I will ever get the chance to have enough priority points.

TEAM NEWS

The biggest talking point in the last day or so has been the news that recent record signings Anderson and Haller could be side-lined for the game. Anderson had to go off early against Man City with a thigh strain and Haller picked up a knock. I’m surprised it’s bring described as ‘a knock’. I reckon there have to be several, judging from the way he was being kicked about (without punishment) in the City game. Especially in the build up to their fifth goal!

These appear to be the only players who played a part in the first game of the season that are unavailable. Jack Wilshere has been passed fit after also having to come off against City with a dead leg. And Mark Noble is still out with a calf strain / dead leg (depending on where you get your news from).

PREDICTED LINE-UP

I wouldn’t envisage that much of a change to the back four from the previous game although my own personal preference would be for Masuaku coming in for Cresswell. Cresswell just hasn’t been cutting the mustard of late and I think it’s time for a change.

Our midfield will be forced to change, with Anderson ruled out, and I would expect Fornals to come in for him. I hope Fornals can replicate his U21 European Championship form from the summer. He didn’t set the world alight when he came on at half time last weekend, but the second half performance, as a whole, had a lot to be desired.

Up front, despite numerous calls for Ajeti to be given a starting place, I don’t think Pellegrini will go down that route. I believe he will start Hernandez. My preference though, would be Antonio in that role. I think we will need a strong aggressive player to break down Brighton’s back three which includes Dunk, Duffy & Burn.

Below is my preferred line-up for the trip to Brighton, with Antonio being pushed up and since I’m not exactly sure what the situation with Yarmolenko is, given he wasn’t included on the bench last week, I would bring in Snodgrass:

It’s not just Pellegrini with a selection headache tomorrow, I must decide if I try to find a decent stream online or go to the pub and plague the barman to find the game on his ‘international satellite system’.

I think I’ll opt for the latter, as if things start to go the way of last Saturday, at least I can drown my sorrows!

COYI!