West Ham will be looking to return to winning ways against Brentford after their loss to Chelsea.
Graham Potter has taken over from Julen Lopetegui and has wasted little time in adopting changes to the system at the Hammers.
There were some positives to take from the 2-1 loss to Chelsea last week and Potter will be hoping that his side can win against the Bees on Sunday, 15 February at the London Stadium.
Lucas Paqueta and Edson Alvarez could make their return to the playing eleven
Andy Irving started in the middle of the park for the Hammers against Chelsea while Carlos Soler played in the attacking position behind Jarrod Bowen.
However, Potter is set to receive an injury boost with both Lucas Paqueta and Edson Alvarez expected to be fit for the game over the weekend.
This could see Alvarez coming in for Irving, offering much-needed solidity in midfield alongside Tomas Soucek.
The other change would be Paqueta coming in with Soler making way for the ever-talented Brazilian.
West Ham go into the Brentford clash as favourites
To secure a victory against Brentford over the weekend, the Hammers will need to focus on key areas.
They must capitalise on their home advantage at the London Stadium by leveraging the support of their fans to boost morale and performance.
Defensively, they should aim to neutralise Brentford’s threats, particularly from set pieces and counter-attacks, as the Bees have a reputation for being tactically astute under Thomas Frank.
Potter’s side needs to ensure that their backline remains organised and communicative.
In the final third, they should exploit Brentford’s defensive vulnerabilities through quick, incisive passing and by utilising the creativity and goal-scoring prowess of players like Bowen and Mohammed Kudus.
The return of key players like Paqueta and Alvarez could provide the midfield solidity and attacking flair necessary.
Moreover, maintaining possession to control the game’s tempo will be crucial, aiming to wear down Brentford before launching decisive strikes.
West Ham are set to take on Brentford in the Premier League.
It’s also important that the Irons manage the game’s physicality and intensity to avoid unnecessary bookings or fatigue.
