Jarrod Bowen, always a menace. He closes down Jason Steele and the Brighton goalkeeper skews the rushed clearance out for a throw-in.

Image source, PA Media

Brighton are being very patient. Both sides are well organised and there's not been too much movement so far.

James Milner comes to collect the ball from an offside position and is flagged.

Brighton turn up the tempo and play through Joao Pedro. He beats Ben Johnson but Edson Álvarez is covering.

It's given straight back to Pervis Estupinan though.

A slow start. Both teams getting a feel for the ball.

Image source, PA Media

Alan Smith
Former Arsenal forward on Sky Sports

On paper it looks like a good night to face West Ham with some of their star men out of the team. But David Moyes sides know how to be resilient and find a way to get a result out of situations more often than not.

The bubbles are blowing and we could be in for an intriguing game. West Ham are missing a few key players and Brighton have got their injuries.

Edson Álvarez looks to get his team off to the perfect start, claiming a penalty as he goes over in the box, but it's waved away.

Off we go in east London.

Image source, Reuters

Steve Sidwell
Former Brighton midfielder on Sky Sports

I think that securing that possible fifth Champions League place at the end of the season would be a big ask for both squads, particularly for Brighton who are still yet to keep a clean sheet in the league this season.

West Ham have been doing well recently, hit a good run of form, but I still see it as a stretch to get into the top five. Both will still have strong seasons.

West Ham XI: Areola; Johnson, Mavropanos, Ogbonna, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Benrahma, Ward-Prowse, Fornals; Bowen.

Subs: Fabianski, Cresswell, Cornet, Ings, Coventry, Casey, Mubama, Laing, Orford.

Image source, Opta

Brighton XI: Steele; Hinshelwood, van Hecke, Webster, Estupinan; Gross, Gilmour, Milner; Joao Pedro, Buonanotte, Welbeck.

Subs: Verbruggen, Dahoud, Lallana, Moder, Baleba, Ferguson, Samuels, Baker-Boaitey, Kavanagh.

Image source, Opta

In this season's reverse fixture in August, West Ham earned their first Premier League victory against Brighton at the 13th attempt (D6, L6).

Brighton's only defeat in their eight top-flight visits to West Ham was by 2-1 at Upton Park in March 1983 (W2, D5).

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton forward Danny Welbeck has scored more Premier League goals against West Ham than he has against any other opponent.

However, five of the six goals he has scored against them came in home games.

Steve Sidwell
Former Brighton midfielder on Sky Sports

I think 100% that Brighton could do with bringing in some older players in the window. That's why you've got the likes of James Milner, Adam Lallana, etc. Players that have been at the top echelons of the game, who can help the young players coming through.

We know the model that Brighton have got, the pathway is there, if they are good enough they are old enough. Roberto de Zerbi brings players through when they are ready, but he has said he wants more older players to come into the squad and bring that experience. I'm sure that business will be done in January.

Image source, Reuters

West Ham manager David Moyes on Tomas Soucek, after signing a new deal with the club: "Tomas did a magnificent job to help us avoid relegation when he first arrived here in 2020.

"Since then, he has played a major part in the progress we have made and the success we have enjoyed.

"He is a model professional, gives absolutely everything for his team every time he steps on the pitch, and is a hugely popular character, loved by the players, staff and everyone at the club."

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi was speaking in his press conference this week about Jeremy Sarmiento, who was recalled from his loan spell at West Brom.

"We have not spoken yet about Sarmiento, but I think he will go on loan to play with another team," said De Zerbi.

Pushed on whether he had been recalled to play for Brighton at all, he added: "I don't know, maybe he needs to play because he decided to go on loan to play at the beginning of the season.

"I don't know if he has changed ideas or his plan. He's a good player and can be important for us, certainly at the moment with many injuries, but we have to speak with the sporting director."

On West Ham, De Zerbi added: "West Ham are a good team, they have a clear style of play.

"It's a very tough competition and to win any game in the Premier League you have to play your best and push for 90 minutes."

Image source, BBC Sport

James Jones, We Are West Ham

We couldn't have asked for a better end to 2023, to cap off one of the best calendar years in the club's history.

While the victory over Manchester United was great, albeit less surprising, going to Arsenal and winning 2-0 was the cherry on the cake. No one saw it coming, and it's those kinds of wins that feel all the sweeter.

Now there's a renewed sense of optimism around the club and a real sense of belief that we can make 2024 just as successful and enjoyable as 2023.

We get the new year started with the visit of Brighton knowing another win will put us in an incredibly strong position for a top-six finish, with fixtures against Sheffield United and Bournemouth to follow.

It's funny - only a few short weeks ago we were questioning David Moyes' position in the dugout. Now there's increased talk of a new contract on the horizon and the belief that there's still some way he can take us before he reaches his ceiling.

I can't wait to see what 2024 brings. Hopefully another trophy but, if not, another European qualification would be incredible!

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham manager David Moyes says 2023 was the best year of his extensive managerial career.

The Hammers recovered from a poor start to the 2022-23 campaign to finish comfortably above the relegation zone.

They also ended the season in style by winning the Europa Conference League - the club's first trophy for 43 years.

Moyes' side are currently sixth in the table and a win over Brighton tonight would put them within four points of the top four.

"If I look back on things, to win a trophy would mean that I would say yes, it would have to be my best year," said Moyes.

"It was difficult for the first part of last season, we couldn't get a result, we didn't start well, we had a few new players coming in.

"But once we got to the World Cup, I think we improved in the second half of the season."