Kick-off: 1945, 30/12/2022
Stadium: London Stadium
Brentford returned to action in typically entertaining fashion and can be expected to adopt a positive approach again at West Ham.
The Bees did the double over the Hammers last season, netting twice on each occasion, and look capable of hurting United up front again.
We like 19/10 for the visitors to avoid defeat and both teams to score as our first West Ham vs Brentford prediction.
West Ham United Odds
West Ham threatened to put a dent in Arsenal’s title hopes when Said Benrahma’s spot-kick was the only goal at the break at Emirates Stadium.
However, the Gunners, who had dominated play with 72 per cent of the possession, regrouped and rallied in the second half to prevail 3-1.
“We showed some good reliance and we were resolute in the first half,” commented David Moyes.
“We did things we are actually quite good at and have been over the last few years, that we can be tough and hard to beat, but we didn’t do that in the second half.
“Arsenal played well in the first half, probably played as well in the first half as they did in the second half, but we get soft in the second half and gave them opportunities to score.”
That was a fourth straight Premier League defeat for the Hammers, including home losses to Crystal Palace and Leicester.
Looking at the West Ham vs Brentford odds, Moyes may settle for steadying the ship with a 5/2 stalemate here.
Last West Ham line-up: Fabianski, Cresswell, Coufal, Dawson, Kehrer, Paqueta, Bowen, Benrahma, Soucek, Rice, Antonio.
West Ham will assess the fitness of Gianluca Scamacca, who is back in training after an ankle injury. Nayef Aguerd is also close to returning after a virus but Kurt Zouma and Maxwel Cornet are still missing.
Brentford Odds
Brentford are six points above their hosts after following up a shock win at Manchester City before the World Cup break by drawing 2-2 at home to Tottenham.
The Bees controlled the opening exchanges, with Vitaly Janelt tapping home, and Ivan Toney then doubled their advantage after half-time.
Harry Kane and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg pulled Spurs back level and it stayed that way, despite both teams going close to grabbing a winner.
Toney shrugged off missing the World Cup and off-field issues to score his 12th goal of the season.
“I wish I knew how he does it, because then I would bottle it up and sell it for a lot of money,” said Bees boss Thomas Frank.
“In that way, he is very, very special, he has unbelievable character and mentality and the ability to focus on the moment. His performance today, wow!
“He has a natural inner drive to constantly push himself and those around him. He constantly is a threat, he’s special.”
Toney took up dangerous positions throughout and could easily have added to his tally with a bit of luck.
The 26-year-old struck the last time these teams clashed and 7/2 for him to break the deadlock on Friday night completes our West Ham vs Brentford betting tips.
Last Brentford line-up: Raya, Pinnock, Jorgensen, Mee, Henry, Norgaard, Jensen, Janelt, Roerslev, Toney, Mbeumo.
Brentford are still without defensive duo Kristoffer Ajer (knee) and Aaron Hickey (ankle). Goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha is close to a first-team return following his struggle with an ankle injury, but midfielder Shandon Baptiste remains out with a groin issue.
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