Oddschecker football writer Ryan Elliott fears capital punishment for Albion as they head to the London Stadium.
The Result
There’s always a sense of dread when Albion embark on an away adventure. A sense that, no matter how good they were at home in previous weeks, there is an ignominious away performance just lurking around the corner.
Albion’s trip to East London is no different. They may have won three consecutive league matches against West Ham, but considering the displays we saw at Bournemouth and Burnley last month, it’s hard to see this run continuing.
It is always easy to get carried away by Albion’s excellence at The Amex - four points from their clashes with Everton and Arsenal is a fantastic return – but how often have they followed this up with disappointing away defeats? The answer is too many times.
On their day, West Ham are a very good side. Five wins from their last seven has seen them catapult away from any relegation danger, although defeats to Watford at home and Burnley away does show lingering inconsistencies and vulnerabilities.
Can Albion exploit such vulnerabilities? I’m not sure they will.
The Hammers have shown in recent weeks what a strong side they can be, and if Albion catch them on a good day, this is only ending one way.
Felipe Anderson and Marko Arnautovic may well inflict the ‘David Brooks treatment’ on Albion.
The bookies have priced an Albion victory at a ludicrously short 3/1, while a Hammers win is best-priced at a far more generous evens, and that’s the outcome I unfortunately envisage.
https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/west-ham-v-brighton/winner
The Banker
If you aren’t feeling quite as pessimistic as I and don’t fancy backing a home win, then this week’s banker is perhaps more up your street: West Ham to score first, best-priced at 7/10.
The Seagulls have conceded first in eight of their ten matches on the road.
West Ham are a little more unpredictable, which is why the price is a tad longer than it perhaps should be, although if there’s one thing you can generally bank on, it’s Albion being below-par away from home.
https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/west-ham-v-brighton/team-to-score-first
The Longshot
Wednesday’s longshot is a three-parter, best-priced at 6/1: Felipe Anderson to score, West Ham to win and both teams to score.
Anderson is one of West Ham’s top performers, and with eight goals to his name this campaign, looks to be their main source of danger. He has pace and trickery in abundance.
I’ve already outlined why I believe West Ham will win on Wednesday, but the ‘both teams to score’ aspect of this bet may perhaps surprise you.
Although Albion have failed to find the net in half of their away games this season, the Hammers have conceded in nine of their ten at home.
What’s even more encouraging is that they have shipped 11 in their last five at the London Stadium, despite their opponents including Watford, Crystal Palace, Cardiff and Burnley.
Łukasz Fabiański has kept just three clean sheets this season, so do not be surprised if Albion manage to score, though hopefully not in consolation.
https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/west-ham-v-brighton/requested-bets
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