Top-four battle
With Leicester and Liverpool securing vital wins at Old Trafford and Chelsea losing to Arsenal, the top-four race has reached a crescendo with some significant matches coming up. It looks like it’s going to be between three sides for a top-four place but West Ham still have an outside chance and will be desperate to qualify for Europe.
West Bromwich Albion vs Liverpool
West Brom form
West Bromwich Albion are heading back to the Championship after a solitary season back in the Premier League. It has been a disappointing campaign with Sam Allardyce unable to keep the Midlands club up after he was appointed in December.
There was a mini-revival with wins against Chelsea and Southampton, but two defeats and two draws from their last four has condemned them to relegation.
Liverpool form
Liverpool are back in the top-four race. After beating Southampton and Man United, the Reds will be smelling blood. Leicester and Chelsea both lost one of their two games and face each other next week, which gives Liverpool hope of usurping one of them.
Jurgen Klopp’s side currently sit in fifth position after leapfrogging West Ham and are just four points behind Chelsea with a game in hand.
Liverpool are unbeaten in seven Premier League matches and should win their final three games, against teams who have little to play for.
However, in the corresponding fixture, they drew 1-1 against WBA and a theme of the campaign has been dropped points against the sides at the bottom.
Liverpool have only won one of their five league matches against the three newly promoted teams this season.
Head to head
History is not on the Baggies side. They have lost their last 17 home matches against Liverpool by an aggregate score of 44-9, with their last victory coming in the 1980-81 season.
Six of the last eight Premier League encounters between the two sides have ended as a draw.
Brighton vs West Ham
Brighton form
It has been a strange season to work out for Brighton, who have battled relegation despite playing some excellent, free-flowing football. Graham Potter’s men have created the chances of a top-six side, but their finishing has left a lot to be desired.
They bossed proceedings against Wolves last weekend but conspired to lose 2-1 after captain Lewis Dunk was sent off. He will be missing for this clash. The Seagulls are in 17th but are safe for another season, and will be looking to beat last year’s tally of 41 points.
Brighton have only won one of their last six games, a 2-0 victory at home to Leeds. They have kept a clean sheet in six of their last nine home games in 2021.
West Ham form
West Ham’s Champions League push has petered out in recent weeks but that shouldn’t detract from their outstanding season.
They sit in sixth place and are on track for Europa League football. David Moyes has done a sterling job to have his side competing for a top-six finish.
Jesse Lingard was named as the Premier League player of the month for April, a reward for his excellent performances since joining on-loan.
The Hammers were off-colour against Everton last weekend and need to beat Brighton to stay in the top six after three losses from their last five games.
Head-to head
West Ham have never beaten Brighton in the Premier League (D4, L3).
Featured image: Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford. (Photo by MICHAEL REGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
