West Ham United have had to learn the hard way that they will not be walking away with the Championship title this season and the London outfit face another tough test as they go on the road again to face Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday (Brighton 15/8, draw 12/5, West Ham 11/8 in the match betting).
The Hammers will have spent plenty of time on the south coast in recent days, after they were beaten 1-0 in a hard-fought contest against high flying Southampton in their last outing.
Manager Sam Allardyce and his men came away from St Mary’s Stadium with not a point to their name, after Jos Hooiveld headed home from a simple set-piece for Southampton, leaving West Ham in fourth place in the Championship table.
A win over Brighton on Monday would push the Hammers (2/1 Championship outright) up into the automatic promotion places just behind the Saints, who were held by Reading to a 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.
Considering the injury problems at Upton Park this term, it has been a credit to Allardyce’s men for sticking to their task and continuing to pick up points.
James Tomkins, Carlton Cole, Guy Demel, Gary O’Neil and keeper Robert Green have been joined by Henri Lansbury and Matt Taylor on the extensive injury list that the Hammer’s boss has had to deal with.
A trip to the AMEX Stadium has been no easy task as many sides have found in the Championship so far, and with West Ham struggling for personnel, it poses a big challenge for the Londoners.
After a storming start to their campaign in England’s second tier, when the Seagulls were continuing their impressive form from last season, they have gone off the boil in recent outings.
Brighton have failed to pick up a win in their last six matches and now find themselves out of the playoff places in 12th position.
The south coast outfit only lost two games at home last season and have tasted defeat just once at the AMEX Stadium this term, while they have played some attractive football in front of their fans.
Scotland international striker Craig Mackail-Smith (6/1 first goalscorer) has carried on where he left off last season with Peterborough and has proved to be an exciting player to watch.
With five league goals to his name so far, the gifted forward will be someone the West Ham defence will have to look out for if they want to head back to the capital with any points.
Brighton boss Gus Poyet could be tempted to give a debut to Gonzalo Jara Reyes, who has joined the club on loan from Premier League outfit West Brom and may add some extra quality into the starting XI.
The Seagulls may have struggled in recent weeks but, at home and with West Ham struggling with injuries, Brighton might just edge this one and push up the Championship table.
Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.
The second batch of Carling Cup third round matches continue on Wednesday night with two all Premier League encounters and holders Birmingham at big-spending Manchester City, but the stand-out tie is Brighton playing host to Liverpool.