West Ham vs Brentford - Premier League: TV channel, team news, lineups & prediction
A struggling West Ham face their capital rivals Brentford in the Premier League on Friday evening.
Both sides took the lead against north London opposition upon their return to top-flight football on Boxing Day. David Moyes conceded that West Ham were 'a bit fortunate' to hold a 1-0 advantage against Arsenal at half time. The league leaders duly equalised within ten minutes of the interval and eased to victory.
Brentford raced into a heartily deserved 2-0 lead against Tottenham but were also pegged back after the break, settling for a point in a display Thomas Frank described as "very, very impressive".
Here's everything you need to know about the meeting between these two London clubs.
Where are West Ham vs Brentford playing?
- Location: London, England
- Stadium: London Stadium
- Date: Friday 30 December
- Kick-off Time: 19:45 GMT / 14:45 ET / 11:45 PT
- VAR: John Brooks
- Referee: Darren England
West Ham vs Brentford H2H Results (Last Five Games)
- West Ham: 1 Win
- Brentford: 3 Wins
- Draws: 1
Current Form (Last Five Games)
- West Ham: WLDLL
- Brentford: DDDWD
How to watch West Ham vs Brentford on TV and live stream
United Kingdom
- No broadcaster for this fixture
United States
- NBC Universo (United States)
- NBC Sports (United States)
- USA Network (United States)
Canada
- fuboTV (Canada)
West Ham team news
Kurt Zouma is ahead of schedule in his return from knee surgery but Maxwel Cornet's recovery suffered a setback during the World Cup.
Nayef Aguerd was part of the Morocco side that reached the semi-finals but the centre-back didn't feature against France, sidelined by a combination of illness and injury. Aguerd only returned on Christmas Eve and wasn't involved against Arsenal.
Gianluca Scamacca was also absent for the Boxing Day defeat to the Gunners with an ankle problem which may impinge upon his involvement this Friday.
West Ham predicted lineup vs Brentford
West Ham Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Kehrer, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio.
Bench: Areola, Ogbonna, Emerson, Johnson, Coventry, Downes, Fornals, Lanzini, Scamacca.
Brentford team news
There are a gaggle of Brentford players on the cusp of returning from injury - however, they may not feel the warmth of the Friday night lights this week. Kristoffer Ajer (knee) is 'really progressing' according to Frank while Aaron Hickey and Thomas Strakosha are on their way back from ankle problems.
Shandon Baptiste is nursing an adductor strain and Frank Onyeka faces a late fitness test to judge his hamstring issue.
Brentford predicted lineup vs West Ham
Brentford Starting 11 (3-5-2): Raya; Jorgensen, Pinnock, Mee; Roerslev, Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney.
Bench: Cox, Goode, Jansson, Dasilva, Ghoddos, Wissa, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter, Canos.
West Ham vs Brentford score prediction
Moyes insists that he is 'looking upwards' despite West Ham's perilous standing in the table, with just two points separating the Irons and rock-bottom Southampton. Brentford would figure in Moyes' skyward gaze as the Bees sit snugly in tenth place.
Set pieces have clearly been a key focus for both clubs in recent years. Brentford underlined their dead-ball threat against Tottenham but West Ham are the only team in the entire division yet to concede a set-piece goal this season (the Bees have shipped seven).
West Ham lost home and away to Brentford last season but may be able to stifle their confident guests enough to earn a draw this Friday.
Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Brentford