Week Seven – West Ham vs Brentford – Sport Grill

West Ham United welcome Brentford to London Stadium in a cross-London derby as both teams continue their push for a top ten finish.

Victory could put West Ham as high as third for a few hours ahead of Liverpool’s title showdown against Manchester City, whereas Brentford can leapfrog the Hammers into seventh with a win.

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Vladimir Coufal is a doubt for West Ham after missing Thursday’s Europa League win against Rapid Wien with a groin injury.

Ryan Fredericks (groin) is also a doubt but both he and Coufal will be handed late fitness tests.

Brentford could be without Ethan Pinnock due to a hip injury suffered in last weekend’s 3-3 draw at home to Liverpool.

Mads Sorensen (knee) and Josh Dasilva (hip) remain ruled out.

Stat Attack

• This is West Ham’s first-ever Premier League clash against Brentford.
• West Ham have avoided defeat in three of their last five league meetings against Brentford (W2, D1, L2).
• Brentford are visiting the London Stadium for the very first time but have won just of their last five away matches against the Hammers (W2, L3).
• No West Ham player has played more through balls this season than Said Benrahma, who has created three through balls in six league appearances.
• No Premier League player has won more aerial battles in the opening six matchweeks than Brentford’s Ivan Toney, who has won 38 aerial battles in six league appearances.

Prediction

West Ham come into this match off the back of a solid home win over Rapid Wien but they were wasteful of their chances and will again be rotating players here, although I do expect them to still be aggressive in their attacking style which could cause Brentford some issues.

Thomas Frank’s Bees however have adapted brilliantly to the top-flight with David Raya and defence proving key to their 3-3 draw against Liverpool last weekend, even though they did struggle with the Reds’ intensity at times but team spirit and ruthless finishing saw them through to a point.

Tactics however will certainly be key here because I can see both teams coming out looking to attack so we could be in for an entertaining edgy contest, unless Lukasz Fabianski and Raya are at their best in goal but I am going for a score draw here in the end.

Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Brentford

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