2:57pm Saturday 14th April 2012
By Brian Owen
The line-ups have been announced – so how will today's action go? Here are three potential keys to the game. A full scouting report appears in The Argus on every matchday.
1. MENTAL STRENGTH: Last night’s win for Reading was not ideal for West Ham. They would rather be chasing the Royals than Southampton, if only because of the Saints' superior goal difference. But the automatic promotion dream is just about flickering, a fervent Upton Park crowd will demand a first home win in eight and how both times react to that red hot atmosphere will dictate fortunes here today.
2. DO IT OUR WAY: Gus Poyet has not added height to his line-up, as might have been expected, and instead opted to play it his way. The Seagulls look to have named a line-up which can keep the ball. It will be intriguing to see how Gai Assulin takes this second chance after failing to impress in his only previous start, versus Cardiff.
3. AERIAL BATTLE: No matter how much good stuff they play, Albion will also have to stand up to an aerial attack. Home front duo Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz are 6ft-plus, powerful John Carew is among the subs and defender James Tomkins is a threat at set pieces. They will offer Albion the type of test they have not always passed.
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