Brighton and Hove Albion started this season from where they left last season; On a high note. As such, they sit comfortably on top of the Premier League table ahead of last season’s winners Manchester City and runners-up Arsenal on goal difference.
The Seagulls will look to maintain their perfect start of the season when they host West Ham at the Amex Stadium on Saturday evening.
While speaking to the media earlier today, Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi said that they have big motivation for this match, want to get all three points and then prepare for the next one.
“We are in a very good condition, we have worked very well this week. There is a really good atmosphere around the club. West Ham have many good players and it will be a tough game, but we have big motivation,” De Zerbi told the press.
He added, “I usually feel good if we work well during the week. Saturday is always the result of our work. Tomorrow, we want to win to stay top of the table and take another three points – but then we will focus on Newcastle.”
When the two clubs met last season, Brighton put West Ham to the sword with 4-0 and 2-0 scorelines home and away, so West Ham will be looking for revenge.
The Hammers come into this fixture after convincingly hammering Chelsea 3-1 last weekend with 10 men after Nayef Aguerd was sent off. A win for West Ham will be their first ever in the Premier League against the Seagulls.
Team news
Brighton attacker Julio Enciso sustained a knee injury in training this week and the Paraguayan will be sidelined for a while. Jakub Moder (knee) is Brighton’s only other injury concern. Everyone else is available.
For West Ham, manager David Moyes has said that new signing Konstantinos Mavropanos is nursing a minor injury and will not make his debut on Saturday and Nayef Aguerd is out due to suspension.
The good news is that Thilo Kehrer is available for selection after recovering from a back problem.
