The 2025 Premier League festive schedule continues tomorrow, Tuesday, December 30, as a struggling West Ham United host Brighton & Hove Albion at the London Stadium. Both sides are desperate to end the calendar year on a high after a dismal December that has seen them plummet down the table.
For West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo, the pressure is mounting as the Hammers start the week in the relegation zone, while Brighton's Fabian Hürzeler is looking to arrest a five-game winless slide.
Match Details
Competition: Premier League (Matchday 19)
Kick-off: 19:30 GMT / 14:30 ET
Venue: London Stadium, London
Referee: Michael Oliver
Broadcast: Sky Sports (UK) / Peacock (US)
Current Form: Relegation Fear vs. Mid-Table Stagnation
West Ham: Sinking into the Bottom Three
Since Nuno Espírito Santo replaced Graham Potter in September, the Hammers have struggled for identity. They are currently 18th and have not won a Premier League game in their last seven outings. A painful 1–0 home loss to Fulham on Saturday left them five points adrift of safety, and with defensive errors mounting, the London Stadium faithful are growing restless.
Brighton: The Festive Slump
Brighton’s season has been a tale of two halves. They were flying high in 5th place at the end of November, but a "brutal" December schedule—including losses to Arsenal and Liverpool—has seen them drop to 13th. Despite their technical superiority, the Seagulls have struggled to turn possession into points, failing to win any of their last five matches.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
West Ham Team News
The Hammers are facing a crisis at full-back due to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and a growing injury list.
Out (AFCON): Aaron Wan-Bissaka, El Hadji Diouf.
Injuries: Łukasz Fabiański (Back), Niclas Füllkrug (Thigh - Late fitness test).
Predicted XI (4-3-2-1): Areola; Walker-Peters, Todibo, Kilman, Scarles; Souček, Potts, M. Fernandes; Paquetá, Summerville; Bowen.
Brighton Team News
Brighton are also missing a key midfield engine to international duty but welcome back some veteran presence in attack.
Out (AFCON): Carlos Baleba.
Injuries: Stefanos Tzimas (Knee), Adam Webster (Knee), Solly March (Knee).
Return: Danny Welbeck and Kaoru Mitoma are expected to be available for selection after recent knocks.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Verbruggen; Coppola, Van Hecke, Dunk; Kadıoğlu, Ayari, Hinshelwood, De Cuyper; Minteh, Rutter; Welbeck.
Head-to-Head: The "Seagull Hex"
West Ham has historically found Brighton to be their "bogey team" in the Premier League era.
Dominance: Brighton has lost only once in their last 17 Premier League meetings against West Ham.
Recent History: The reverse fixture earlier this month (December 7) ended in a 1–1 draw at the Amex.
Goals: Both teams have scored in four of the last five meetings between these two sides.
Tactical Analysis: High Press vs. Defensive Resilience
The Left-Back Vulnerability
With Aaron Wan-Bissaka at AFCON, West Ham's young left-back Josh Scarles will likely face a direct assault from Brighton’s pacy wingers, Yankuba Minteh or Brajan Gruda. Nuno will need to decide whether to drop Tomáš Souček deeper to provide cover or risk being exposed on the counter.
Brighton’s Possession Trap
Hürzeler’s Brighton typically dominates the ball (averaging 58% possession this season), but they have been vulnerable to direct runners. If Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen can exploit the spaces behind Brighton’s high defensive line, West Ham could find joy on the break—provided Lucas Paquetá can find the killer pass.
Match Prediction
West Ham is playing for survival, while Brighton is playing to reclaim their European ambitions. Given West Ham's porous defense and Brighton's historical dominance in this fixture, the Seagulls enter as favorites. However, the desperation of a relegation battle often produces surprises at the London Stadium.
Final Score Prediction: West Ham 1–2 Brighton
