By Conor Hogan
West Ham play their final game of 2025 when they host Brighton at London Stadium this evening.
The Hammers desperately need a result against Fabian Hürzeler’s side as they attempt to close the gap between themselves and safety. Following Saturday’s 1–0 defeat to Fulham, the situation has begun to look increasingly bleak for Nuno Espírito Santo’s team.
West Ham have now lost three games in a row and haven’t picked up a point since their draw with Brighton at the Amex Stadium on December 7. That run has left the Irons 18th in the Premier League, five points adrift of survival.
Brighton, however, arrive in East London in shaky form themselves. The Seagulls haven’t won since their 2–0 victory over Nottingham Forest in November and have taken just two points from their last five games — one of which came against West Ham.
Despite their poor run of results, the Hammers should take confidence from recent performances. They could easily have beaten Fulham at the weekend were it not for wasteful finishing and another late lapse in concentration. There is a sense that West Ham are close to turning performances into points — but “close” simply isn’t enough anymore.
Nuno must make some tweaks on Tuesday if his side are to give themselves the best chance of claiming a vital three points.
Firstly, Callum Wilson needs to start at London Stadium. The 33-year-old changed the game when he came on against Brighton earlier this month, assisting Jarrod Bowen’s goal, and he again made a positive impact against Fulham with his movement and physical presence. His experience and composure could be crucial in a game of this magnitude.
Wilson should start in place of Lucas Paquetá, who has looked off the pace in recent weeks. Alternatively, Paquetá could be deployed on the left in place of Crysencio Summerville, who may be better utilised as an impact substitute.
The midfield and back line are expected to remain unchanged. Despite his costly error against Fulham, Ollie Scarles should be trusted to start again to help rebuild his confidence. However, Nuno must be proactive this time — Ezra Mayers should be introduced once Scarles begins to tire in the second half.
Tuesday’s match will not be easy, but it is one West Ham simply must win if they are to avoid drifting further away from the pack. 2025 has been a bleak year for Hammers fans, but three points in the club’s final game of the year — especially against a side they so rarely beat — would provide a much-needed lift heading into a crucial fight for survival in 2026.
