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Brentford have earned 11 points from London derbies so far this season, the most of any newly-promoted club since West Ham’s 14 in 1993/94. David Moyes has won nine of his 12 encounters with newly-promoted clubs, although the one defeat in this period came when Brentford visited the London Stadium in October. The Hammers have only won three of eight league fixtures following a Thursday night European game this season.
Brentford to win is 13/8.
Both teams to score is 4/5.
Brentford to win and both teams to score is 9/2.
Ivan Toney is 7/2 to break the deadlock and 6/5 to score anytime.
Match preview
After a hard-fought and well-earned result in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, it’s back to league business for West Ham United.
As one might expect, the atmosphere was electric, but the anticipation quickly turned to fury in first half stoppage time when Aaron Cresswell was sent off.
Despite being a man down, just seven minutes after the interval, Jarrod Bowen pounced on some slack defending and fired his team in front.
The Irons looked to cling onto their one-goal advantage, but couldn’t manage it with Spurs loanee Tanguy Ndombele tapping home an equaliser.
Nevertheless, down to ten-men, a 1-1 draw is a great result for West Ham ahead of the return fixture at Parc Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday.
Back in the Premier League, David Moyes’ men are fighting to ensure they’re back in UEFA competition next season.
Last Sunday, they beat Moyes’ former club Everton 2-1 with Cresswell firing home a free-kick before in-form Bowen bagged the winner.
This means the Hammers are sixth, above Manchester United on goal difference, and just three points below both Arsenal and Spurs.
However, exhausted by their efforts on Thursday, and with one eye on the trip to France, will West Ham slip-up in this London derby?
This certainly seems plausible given Brentford’s recent resurgence.
Last weekend, the Bees beat local rivals Chelsea for the first time in 83 years and in some style, running out 4-1 winners at Stamford Bridge.
Vitaly Janelt bagging a quick-fire brace, with Christian Eriksen getting the go-ahead goal in-between, before Yoane Wissa secured a famous victory.
This means Thomas Frank’s side have won three of their last four matches having recorded back-to-back wins over Norwich and Burnley in March.
As a result, Brentford are now 14th, nine points clear of danger, and on the cusp of securing survival.
Having won 2-1 at the London Stadium in October, will Brentford secure a first leg double over West Ham since 1954?
Brentford team news
It’s all about Christian Eriksen right now and, given what he experienced last summer, rightly so.
Since returning, he’s shown his obvious quality with Brentford winning all three matches that the great Dane has started for them.
Ivan Toney, who’s scored five in his last four appearances, will lead the line alongside Bryan Mbeumo.
Yoane Wissa will once again be the super sub, scoring a stoppage time winner off the bench at West Ham in October and with his first touch at Chelsea last weekend.
Over at right-wing-back, Mads Roerslev Rasmussen got the nod last time out, so it’ll be interesting to see if he’s chosen over Sergi Canós again.
Aside from Eriksen, David Raya’s return from injury has been a key reason behind Brentford’s upturn in form.
They’ve won six of 17 games with him between the sticks (35%) as oppose to just two wins from 14 without (14%).
West Ham United team news
As for West Ham, David Moyes will surely have one eye on Thursday’s match, so will have to rotate a bit.
Aaron Cresswell will be suspended following his red card in the first leg, so will start this one.
Further forward, Manuel Lanzini served a one-match ban during the home game against Lyon, meaning his is fresh so is therefore likely to come in.
Łukasz Fabiański will return in goal, in place of Alphonse Areola who’s the nominated cup keeper.
With Vladimír Coufal injured, Ryan Fredericks or Ben Johnson will deputise at right-back.
Other squad players who could be rotated in include Issa Diop, Alex Král, Mark Noble, Nikola Vlašić and Andriy Yarmolenko.
Saïd Benrahma will return to Brentford for the first time since scoring a brace on his final appearance for the club, coming in a League Cup win over Fulham.
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