West Hamvs.Brighton

Midfielder Carlos Soler was booked for the fifth time this season in the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Monday evening, meaning that the Spaniard has a one-game suspension to serve this weekend.

Lopetegui replaced Soler with Niclas Fullkrug early in the second half at the Vitality Stadium anyway, and there is seemingly a good chance that the German striker will step in for Soler from the first whistle here.

Fullkrug acting as the focal point of West Ham's attack would see Jarrod Bowen revert to a right-wing role, while Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus complete the offensive quartet.

Lopetegui should see no reason to break up the midfield pairing of Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek, and even though Soler is now on the naughty step, Emerson Palmieri is back from his own suspension.

The former Chelsea man should come straight back into the rearguard, thus forcing Vladimir Coufal down to the bench as Aaron Wan-Bissaka returns to his favoured right-hand side.

Max Kilman and Dinos Mavropanos can expect to link arms at the back while Jean-Clair Todibo manages a tight groin; the Frenchman is one of two injured Hammers along with Michail Antonio, who is rehabilitating from surgery after his horrific car accident.

West Ham United possible starting lineup:

Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus; Fullkrug

Written by

Ben Knapton