West Ham United vs Brentford Predictions

• Four of Brentford’s last five Premier League goals have featured at least three goals.
• The Bees have drawn five of their last seven competitive games, with two of them ending 2-2.
• Ivan Toney has scored 12 goals in 17 competitive appearances this season.

Hammers’ struggles continue

West Ham suffered a second-half collapse on Boxing Day as they let a 1-0 lead at half-time slip to lose 3-1 at Premier League leaders Arsenal and this defensive frailty could come back to haunt them in their final game of 2022.

That defeat was the Hammers’ fourth successive loss in the league, leaving David Moyes’ men down in 16th place having collected just 14 points from 16 games this season.

Brentford impress despite missed opportunity

The story is much brighter in Brentford, although they will feel like an opportunity was missed in their own Boxing Day fixture.

The Bees led 2-0 with just half an hour remaining as they hosted Spurs but, thanks in large part to Harry Kane, could only manage a point against Antonio Conte’s side.

However, that does leave Brentford in a respectable tenth position with 20 points to their name, while a four-match unbeaten streak should give them confidence as they make the short trip to the London Stadium.

Expect goals at the London Stadium

What we can expect from both sides is plenty of vulnerability in defence. West Ham and Brentford have conceded 14 goals in their last eight combined Premier League matches and Brentford in particularly have been magnets for high-scoring games. Four of their last five in the top flight have gone over 2.5 goals, and that will be my main prediction for Friday’s tie.

When it comes to a correct score prediction, Brentford have played out five draws in their last seven competitive games and the last two of them have ended 2-2. West Ham have conceded twice or more in their last three league games, so a 2-2 thriller is my top choice.

Ivan Toney is the standout option in the goalscorer markets. The 26-year-old scored Brentford’s second against Spurs and now has 12 goals in 17 competitive outings this term, finding the net in each of his last three appearances.

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