West Ham vs Brentford Preview: Team News & Prediction
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The final game of this match day after the return of the Premier League from the international break is a London derby between West Ham United and Brentford.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Universo
West Ham preview: Nuno’s Irons
Graham Potter was sacked a few weeks ago and replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo, who had been let go of by Nottingham Forest during the September international break, and the Portuguese boss has his work cut out to push West Ham United up the table.
The Irons started the Nuno reign with a 1-1 draw against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium before they then suffered an underwhelming 2-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium a couple of weeks ago.
Brentford preview: Keith’s Bees
Brentford lost lots of key players over the summer transfer window, as well as manager Thomas Frank to Tottenham Hotspur, and the Bees are now living with the gamble that they took on appointing rookie boss Keith Andrews.
The Bees have been underwhelming to watch in terms of their performance level, with Brentford having managed just two victories in their seven matches so far this season, most recently losing 1-0 at home to Manchester City.
West Ham team news: Soucek returns
Nuno Espirito Santo is boosted by the return of Czechia international midfielder Tomas Soucek, who has now served all three matches of his ban following a red card against Tottenham Hotspur last month.
The Hammers have a couple of confirmed injury absentees for this one, though, such as George Earthy and Germany international striker Niclas Fullkrug.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf; Magassa; Bowen, Paqueta, Fernandes, Summerville; Wilson
Unavailable: Earthy (Injured), Fullkrug (Injured)
Questionable:
Brentford team news: Hickey trains
It has been confirmed that Aaron Hickey has trained ahead of this game after it had appeared he had suffered a setback on a knee injury whilst away on international duty with Scotland.
The Bees are now without big money summer signing Antoni Milambo, with the former Feyenoord man now expected to be unavailable for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Kelleher; Ajer, Van den Berg, Collins; Kayode, Jensen, Henderson, Hickey; Damsgaard; Thiago, Schade
Unavailable: Milambo (Injured)
Questionable: Maghoma (Fitness), Yarmolyuk (Injured), Nunes (Fitness)
West Ham vs Brentford prediction
This London derby features two sides that are struggling at the bottom end of the Premier League table and it could be a crucial game based on the weekend’s results. There is a frustration from some Brentford supporters that their set-piece strengths have now become too much and they have very little else going for them, and with home advantage, plus the boost of Nuno taking charge of his first home game, West Ham have to be the favourites for this one at the London Stadium.
West Ham vs Brentford tip: West Ham to win
