English Premier
2025-02-15 - West Ham United vs Brentford
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 15th February 2025 - Kick Off 3pm
West Ham United
The performances under Graham Potter have perhaps been stronger than the results, and West Ham United have had a couple of weeks to work with the new manager on the training ground. No one is doubting some of the quality in the West Ham United squad, but this is an underachieving squad and the fans will be hoping a strong end to this campaign can give the team momentum to take into the 2025/26 season.
They have been dropped to 16th in the Premier League table after Everton's late equaliser against Liverpool, but The Hammers have a 10 point lead over 18th placed Leicester City. The side have a 4-2-6 record at the London Stadium where West Ham United have scored 16 goals and conceded 26.
West Ham United have won 1 of their last 7 games in all competitions and they have been beaten in 5 of those matches, although the results have not always backed up the recent performances as mentioned already. They have won 1 of their last 4 Premier League games at the London Stadium and West Ham United have lost twice in that time, including a 0-2 defeat to Crystal Palace last time out here.
Jean-Clair Todibo, Edson Alvarez and Lucas Paqueta have all been declared available for selection. Niclas Fullkrug is not expected to take part this weekend.
Brentford
Most Premier League clubs had made it through to the FA Cup Fourth Round, but Brentford are another that had the weekend off after the upset defeat to Plymouth Argyle in the Third Round. Thomas Frank's squad are in a position to challenge for European Football with a strong end to the Premier League campaign and the recent break may just have given Brentford the chance to just rest and recover before going again.
The Bees are 11th in the Premier League table, but there are just 6 points between them and Aston Villa in 8th and the manager will be looking up the table rather than worrying about those behind them. A 2-2-7 record away from home is a little disappointing, but Brentford will point out that they have effectively visited almost all of the top clubs in the League already.
Brentford suffered a very disappointing 0-2 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago and have been beaten in 3 of their last 5 games in all competitions. They have surprisingly suffered the recent setbacks at the Gtech Community Stadium and Brentford will travel across London unbeaten in 3 away Premier League games. Brentford have won back to back away League games at Southampton and Crystal Palace and will be chasing a third away Premier League win in a row for the first time.
Mark Flekken missed the game against Spurs with an injury, but the away team are hoping he is available for selection having had two weeks to recover.
Head to Head
These two London rivals shared a point each after a 1-1 draw earlier this season.
Brentford had won on their first 2 visits to the London Stadium, but were beaten 4-2 here in February 2024.
Prediction
There has been an upturn in form produced by West Ham United under Graham Potter, but the results have yet to follow and there is still a vulnerability about The Hammers.
That was on show in the 2-1 loss at Chelsea two weeks ago, but Potter will have had some time to work with his players and try and find a better system for them to operate in.
Jarrod Bowen's return is a huge deal, as he proved at Stamford Bridge, and West Ham United will feel they have the qualities in the final third that can give the visitors something to think about. Pressing from the front and looking to exploit mistakes worked very well against Fulham, but playing without a recognised number nine is never easy.
Last season West Ham United did score four goals in a home win over Brentford, but they are now facing a team that have picked up their form on their travels.
The schedule made it tough for Brentford earlier in the season, even though the team had been competitive, and the flip of fixtures will help improve what looks a poor away record.
There have been signs of that already with Brentford following a draw at Brighton with wins at Southampton and Crystal Palace and Thomas Frank's team will also be refreshed having exited the FA Cup before the Fourth Round. It has allowed a couple of players to shake off knocks and Brentford have attackers that can exploit the issues West Ham United continue to have at the back.
It is a tough match to call with both teams playing pretty well recently and perhaps deserving more than their overall results have given them. The first goal is likely going to be important with the lead likely going to give the team earning it the confidence to go on and win the fixture.
A draw is also a real player, but the lean is with Brentford with a start on the Asian Handicap- they have a decent record at the London Stadium and against West Ham United in general, while the away form looks to be turning around.
Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will cause problems for the home team and Brentford might just be playing well enough defensively to earn a positive result.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
West Ham United 1-2 Brentford
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Brentford + 0.25 Asian Handicap at 1.82 with Bet365
