Brentford will look to capitalise on West Ham’s defensive frailty, a gulf of 22 goals conceded to 58, and their own 49‑goal haul, with Igor Thiago already on 21. The Gtech Community Stadium will feel the pressure of the 0.5‑goal spread, forcing West Ham to press high and risk exposing their back‑three, while Brentford can sit in a compact 4‑2‑3‑1 and launch quick 2‑step transitions from the half‑back line to the edge of the box. Mikkel Damsgaard’s past four assists suggest a midfield that can thread through‑balls to Thiago or the new‑arrival on the wing, turning possession into sharp shooting chances. West Ham, the league's 17th‑place struggler, must break a 34‑match run of 36 points to avoid the drop‑zone drama; a single win would lift them out of the relegation mire. Their 2‑2 draw in the FA Cup and a 2‑0 loss last season at Brentford underline a vulnerability to high‑pressing opponents. If they can keep the ball in the middle, control the tempo, and squeeze a set‑piece goal, they might turn the tables, but with the odds favouring the hosts and Brentford’s recent 3‑point lift, the match feels primed to end in a narrow Brentford victory.