West Ham United take on Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League this evening.
Pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks West Ham United will defeat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0 at the London Stadium this evening.
The Hammers head into the game having drawn 1-1 at Burnley last weekend, but it felt somewhat like a defeat given that they were down to 10 men for much of the game after Andy Carroll’s first-half red card, and then conceded a late equaliser.
With just eight points from the first eight games of the season, West Ham have yet to really hit their stride this term, and Slaven Bilic will be hoping for another home win having recently beaten Huddersfield Town and Swansea City at the London Stadium.
Bilic now has Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio fit to play, but he does have issues in attack, with Carroll suspended, Diafra Sakho injured and Javier Hernandez less than 100%.
Their opponents tonight are Brighton and Hove Albion, who also drew 1-1 last weekend after a late equaliser, with Wayne Rooney’s penalty saving Everton at the Amex Stadium.
Chris Hughton’s side have also claimed eight points from eight games, but will now be looking for their first away win of the season when they travel to East London this evening.
Pundit Mark Lawrenson has now told BBC Sport that he thinks Lanzini returning to full fitness will be a big difference for West Ham, and he is no longer worried about the Hammers’ home form.
Lawrenson added that he thinks Brighton could sneak away from relegation this season, but is predicting a 2-0 win for West Ham tonight.
“I do feel like West Ham have turned the corner since the start of the season, even if Andy Carroll’s red card probably cost them victory at Burnley last week,” said Lawrenson. “Manuel Lanzini is fully fit, which makes a big difference, and I don’t worry about their form at London Stadium any more either.
“Brighton also shot themselves in the foot last time out, because they had put in a decent performance before Bruno gave away a last-minute penalty that allowed Everton to equalise. The Seagulls are still doing OK, though. I look at them and think they are going to be involved in the relegation battle, but they have enough about them to sneak out of it.”
“They are aiming for 17th place and they are not going to try to get it by playing open football. I am expecting them to make things difficult for the Hammers on Friday night, but I still think Slaven Bilic’s side will find a way through,” he added.
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