West Ham vs Brentford tips and predictions: Dysfunctional Hammers look to get back on track against Bees

You hardly want your bogey team to rock into town on most weeks, but now is definitely not the time David Moyes wants to see Ivan Toney and co. arriving in Stratford.

West Ham fans have endured a tough time in recent weeks, with a 6-0 humbling at home to Arsenal sandwiched inbetween defeats on the road against Manchester United and strugglers Nottingham Forest. 

Brentford, who have beaten West Ham in all five of their league meetings since the Bees' promotion, have been boosted by the return of Ivan Toney but are in the middle of a nightmare run of fixtures. 

They have just lost their last two, albeit to Liverpool and Manchester City, and have Chelsea and Arsenal after this one, so Thomas Frank will be targeting this game as one that could yield points. 

They have built up a five point buffer to the bottom three, but you can take nothing for granted in the Premier League and given their fixtures after this trip to West Ham, Brentford will be determined to get a result here. 

Toney has four goal involvements in three games against the Hammers and has found the back of the net four times since he made his return from suspension last month. 

He will be looking to dine out on a Hammers defence that's been like a buffet for strikers recently, with 11 goals conceded in the last three, but what's even more concerning for Moyes is that his side haven't found the back of the net over that period either.

However, the Bees have hardly been solid themselves this season, conceding 44 this season, the same amount as their hosts, and shipped in four against Liverpool last weekend.

Despite their poor recent form, West Ham have had a good season prior to this period, they are just two points behind seventh placed Brighton, and firmly in the 'Jekyll and Hyde' group of the league along with Newcastle, Brighton and Chelsea, all of whom are capable of producing any type of performance.

West Ham were red hot against Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal in December and we all know what the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen are capable of.

It's a diffficult one to predict, but a score draw has plenty of value in the market, especially given that West Ham have drawn six games this season, only three teams have been involved in more stalemates.

 

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Team news

Kalvin Phillips is suspended for West Ham after being sent off in the 2-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest. 

Lucas Paqueta could be back for this one, but his availability is subject to a late fitness test.

Brentford are without long-term absentees Bryan Mbeumo, Josh Dasilva, Kevin Schade, Ethan Pinnock, Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry.

 

Key stats

- West Ham have gone six games without a win in the league

- West Ham have conceded 11 goals in their last three games

- Brentford have won all of their five Premier League meetings with West Ham

- Ivan Toney has scored four Premier League goals in his six appearances since his return from suspension

 

Suggested bets

Match result- draw

Ivan Toney to score in 90 mins

Over 3.5 match goals