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A lively afternoon on the South Coast awaits as Brighton return to the Amex seeking to reignite momentum after a dramatic defeat in midweek. Despite letting a commanding lead collapse against Aston Villa, the Seagulls remain firmly in the European conversation and continue to pose a formidable attacking threat on home soil. Visiting West Ham travel burdened by a troubling Premier League run but emboldened by a gritty draw at Old Trafford. With both sides carrying contrasting forms and tactical identities into this contest, the stage is set for a fiercely competitive fixture offering several intriguing angles for a carefully constructed bet builder.
Here’s our Bet Builder pick for Brighton vs West Ham, which has been placed with William Hill:
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Why this pick
Gómez becomes central to Brighton’s attacking plan due to injuries elsewhere and his growing influence in Hurzeler’s system. His positional intelligence, sharp movement and ability to exploit gaps created by Welbeck’s presence give him multiple scoring routes. Brighton’s excellent home scoring record strengthens his prospects, as they generate sustained pressure and high shot volume at the Amex. West Ham’s defensive instability, coupled with their difficulty in coping with fluid systems, increases the likelihood of Gómez finding space inside the box. Brighton’s second-half scoring trend further supports this pick, with Gómez thriving as defensive fatigue creates late opportunities.
Why this pick
Baleba’s role as Brighton’s midfield enforcer exposes him to frequent defensive duels, especially against West Ham’s direct, transition-focused style. His responsibility for halting counters and screening the back line forces him into risky challenges. With Paquetá returning and drawing fouls effectively, Baleba faces increased pressure in central areas. Brighton’s aggressive possession play — which leaves them open to fast breaks — requires Baleba to perform tactical fouls to prevent runners from escaping. His naturally combative style, combined with the game’s expected tempo and West Ham’s attacking transitions, gives strong justification for anticipating a booking.
Why this pick
Diouf will be heavily tested by Brighton’s fast, interchanging wingers and overlapping full-backs. The relentless pace and width of Hurzeler’s system force full-backs into repeated recovery actions, where fouls often become necessary. Diouf’s flank will face constant pressure from Minteh, Gruda and De Cuyper combining at speed, increasing the likelihood of mistimed challenges. West Ham’s defensive shape remains unreliable, frequently leaving defenders isolated. Given Diouf’s previous struggles when dealing with agile attackers and Brighton’s intense attacking structure at the Amex, he is well positioned to enter the referee’s notebook.
This bet builder capitalises on Brighton’s attacking dominance and West Ham’s defensive inconsistencies. Gómez benefits from sustained pressure, while Baleba and Diouf face heavy defensive workloads that naturally increase foul risks. The tactical dynamics between both sides combine to make this trio a cohesive, high-value selection.
Brighton vs West Ham Bet Builder Tip
Diego Gómez To Score
Diego Gómez steps into this fixture with a growing sense of responsibility and attacking influence, particularly with Brighton’s frontline hampered by injuries. Tzimas’s long-term absence forces Hurzeler to rely even more heavily on dynamic, versatile forwards capable of drifting into dangerous spaces and exploiting defensive vulnerabilities. Gómez fits that profile perfectly. His intelligent positioning, sharp movement across the attacking third and instinct for arriving late into the box make him a constant danger, especially against a West Ham defence that has struggled to contain fluid, high-tempo systems all season. Their recent lapse at Old Trafford — conceding late without sustained pressure — only reinforces how vulnerable they remain when forced to defend repeatedly inside their own area.
Brighton’s style under Hurzeler emphasises structured possession and rotational movement between midfield and attack. This system allows Gómez to receive the ball in advanced positions with regularity, often benefitting from overloads created by Minteh, Gruda or De Cuyper drifting centrally. His shooting routes are varied too: he is equally comfortable striking from the edge of the area, ghosting past defenders or linking tightly with Welbeck, who has an exceptional scoring record against West Ham and therefore attracts significant defensive attention. As defenders concentrate on Welbeck, Gómez is left freer to exploit gaps that open inside the penalty area.
West Ham’s defensive record away from home remains one of their major weaknesses. They concede big chances frequently, and their back line — missing key rotation options and occasionally unbalanced due to Potts and Magassa stepping into unfamiliar roles — lacks cohesion when faced with ball-dominant, adventurous opponents. Brighton, who have scored at least twice in six consecutive Premier League matches at the Amex, place sustained pressure on visiting defences. Such relentless attacking patterns inevitably create scoring opportunities for Gómez, who thrives when Brighton are encouraged to pin opponents deep for prolonged spells.
Furthermore, Brighton’s strong second-half scoring trend aligns well with Gómez’s strengths. Seventeen of Brighton’s league goals this season have come after the interval, a period when opponents become stretched and fatigued by the Seagulls’ continuous pressing and movement. This late-match surge increases the likelihood of Gómez finding decisive openings as defensive concentration wanes. Considering Brighton’s track record, Gómez’s increased responsibility, and the structural issues in West Ham’s defensive setup, he emerges as an excellent candidate to find the net in this matchup.
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Carlos Baleba To Be Carded
Carlos Baleba plays an incredibly physical role within Brighton’s midfield structure, frequently tasked with breaking up transitions, managing counter-attacks and disrupting rhythm in central areas. Matches involving West Ham often demand increased defensive discipline due to their ability to progress play directly through Paquetá, Bowen and Wilson. These transitions place huge pressure on midfielders like Baleba, who must intervene early to prevent runners from breaking beyond the double pivot. Such responsibilities naturally increase the likelihood of fouls in dangerous zones.
Baleba’s style leans towards assertive challenges and proactive interceptions, but this aggression occasionally leads him into poorly timed tackles. In a high-intensity fixture where Brighton expect to dominate possession, West Ham will attempt to counter quickly whenever possession is lost. Baleba will be forced into repeated recovery actions, particularly when covering for Veltman or Kadioglu who push forward to support attacking phases.
With West Ham regaining Lucas Paquetá — a player who excels at drawing fouls and committing markers into contact — the tempo in central areas rises significantly. Baleba’s job becomes harder and more reactive, increasing his exposure to cautions. Combined with Brighton’s high defensive line and the need for tactical fouls, Baleba’s booking becomes a well-supported selection.
El Hadji Malick Diouf To Be Carded
El Hadji Malick Diouf faces an extremely taxing assignment at left-back, where Brighton’s attacking combinations are among the league’s most fluid. With Minteh and Gruda regularly rotating positions and driving at defenders with pace, Diouf is likely to spend long periods defending one-versus-one or retreating under pressure. Such situations frequently compel defenders into mistimed or forceful challenges simply to halt momentum.
West Ham’s defensive structure remains inconsistent, and Diouf often has to cover large spaces when the midfield line is bypassed. Brighton’s width stretches opponents aggressively, forcing full-backs into isolation and increasing the risk of recovery fouls. Moreover, Diouf may find himself repeatedly tasked with stopping overlaps from De Cuyper, who supports attacks with relentless forward runs and precise combination play.
Brighton’s approach at the Amex is relentless, with their intense ball circulation generating numerous situations where defenders must lunge, block or step across attackers to prevent breakthroughs. Diouf has shown a tendency to pick up bookings when exposed to fast, technically confident opponents, and this matchup places him in precisely that environment. Given Brighton’s patterns, West Ham’s defensive workload and the specific flank match-up, Diouf’s chances of receiving a card are considerably elevated.
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