West Ham v Brighton & Hove Albion: Likely line-ups for Premier League clash

Brighton end a busy festive period when they travel to West Ham in the Premier League on Wednesday.
Glenn Murray. Picture by PW Sporting PhotographyGlenn Murray. Picture by PW Sporting Photography
Glenn Murray. Picture by PW Sporting Photography

It is both clubs' fourth game of the Christmas and New Year period. West Ham have picked up three points from three matches so far, while Brighton have collected four points from their three games.

West Ham are 11th in the table with 27 points, two places and two points better off than Albion.

WEST HAM

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West Ham have several players out injured, so are unlikely to make many changes from their 2-0 defeat at Burnley on Sunday.

Pablo Zabaleta could return at right-back after illness and Andy Carroll get come into the starting line-up after replacing Lucas Perez during half-time at Turf Moor.

Javier Hernandez missed the game at Burnley with a hamstring injury and is again set to miss out, while defender Fabian Balbuena was ruled out with a knee injury at Burnley and is a doubt.

Manuel Lanzini, Winston Reid, Andriy Yarmolenko and Carlos Sanchez remain sidelined with long-term injuries.

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The Hammers completed the signing of Samir Nasri on a contract until the end of the season yesterday. He could make his debut against the Seagulls if manager Manuel Pellegrini feels he is ready to play.

Likely line-up: Fabianski; Zabaleta, Ogbonna, Diop, Cresswell; Snodgrass, Rice, Obiang, Felipe Anderson; Carroll, Arnautovic. Subs (from): Adrian, Obiang, Masuaku, Costa Silva, Diangana, Coventry, Antonio, Wilshere, Perez, Nasri.

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Chris Hughton is unlikely to make many changes after Brighton beat Everton 1-0 at the Amex on Saturday.

David Button will continue in goal with Mathew Ryan at the Asian Cup with Australia. The back four is again likely to be Martin Montoya, Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk and Bernardo.

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Davy Propper, Dale Stephens and Pascal Gross have performed well as the midfield trio in Albion's last two games and Solly March and Jurgen Locadia are likely to continue on the wings.

Glenn Murray, who scored twice when Brighton won 3-0 at West Ham last season, could return up front in place of Florin Andone.

Jose Izquierdo, who has missed five matches, remains a doubt with a knee injury while Alireza Jahanbakhsh is with Iran at the Asian Cup.

Anthony Knockaert was left out of the 18-man squad for the match with Everton but Hughton has confirmed he will be in the travelling party for Wednesday's match.

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Summer signing Dan Burn is back with Albion after spending the first half of the season on loan at Wigan but will not be involved at West Ham.

Likely line-up: Button; Montoya, Duffy, Dunk, Bernardo; March, Stephens, Gross, Propper, Locadia; Murray. Subs (from): Steele, Bruno, Balogun, Bong, Bissouma, Kayal, Knockaert, Andone, Gyokeres, Suttner.

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