Festive fixtures come to an end when West Ham United host Brighton & Hove Albion on the second day of 2024. Heading into this match, Hammers boss David Moyes has fitness concerns relating to three players: Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd and Lucas Paqueta.
Aguerd is battling some fitness concerns, and the club is still in the dark over when he’ll get the call for the Africa Cup of Nations.
West Ham vs Brighton FYIs
Kick: Tues Jan 2, 2024, 7:30pm, London Stadium, UK
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Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
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PL Standing: Brighton 8th, 30 pts West Ham 6th, 33 pts
Google Result Probability: Brighton 35% West Ham 39% Draw 26%
The Irons also don’t know specifically when Mohamed Kudus will get the call-up for AFCON either. As for Zouma, he missed the surprise win over Arsenal due to a knee injury. Paqueta passed a late fitness test in order to feature against the Gunners but he suffered a knee injury as well, and had to be withdrawn during the first half.
“Obviously, everybody has got lots of injuries and illness and we’ve had it with [Nayef] Aguerd and Zouma and we lost Paqueta during the game but it’s too early to give any real answer,” Moyes said during his weekly media conference earlier today.
“Hopefully they have got a chance as we’ve got lots of games coming up thick and fast.
“Paqueta had done it in the warm-up and we chose to start him. We’re not sure if it’s too serious, but we’re waiting on scans.”
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
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