Meetings between West Ham and Brentford have often carried quiet importance and Monday's clash at London Stadium feels no different.
It represents the beginning of a new chapter of West Ham at home under Nuno Espirito Santo, whose early weeks in charge have offered signs of discipline but little reward.
The Hammers showed early glimpses of organization and intent in a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, but goals remain elusive for a team searching for a moment of magic after a turbulent few months. They have won just once in seven league matches, which has left supporters restless and anxious for a turnaround on home soil.
Nuno's challenge is not just tactical but emotional as well as he attempts to steady a dressing room that has experienced too much change in too little time. Victory on Monday would ease tension in the stands and allow West Ham to move clear of the relegation zone that looms uncomfortably close.
Brentford, meanwhile, arrive burdened by their own struggles. Keith Andrews has found consistency difficult to achieve and a narrow 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on October 5 showed the Bees' lack of attacking spark.
The loss of promising midfielder Antoni Milambo to a long-term ACL injury has further weakened their forward options.
The Bees can take some heart from recent history, though, as they have won three of their last four league visits.
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West Ham vs. Brentford lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest
Nuno is expected to make minimal changes to his starting XI, with Alphonse Areola likely to retain his place in goal despite conceding twice against Arsenal and the defensive trio of El Hadji Malick Diouf, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Max Kilman expected to continue.
There could be a change at full-back, with Kyle Walker-Peters likely to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who struggled at the Emirates.
Soungoutou Magassa and Mateus Fernandes will operate as the double pivot in midfield and Lucas Paqueta should keep his spot in the No.10 role, assuming he is not overly fatigued from Brazil's visit to South Korea and Japan in the international break.
Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville are expected to start once again on the flanks, and Callum Wilson could lead the line in the absence of Niclas Fullkrug, who suffered a quadriceps strain while on international duty and is being assessed.
George Earthy also remains sidelined due to a thigh injury and is not expected back until late November.
West Ham predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Areola (GK) — Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf — Fernandes, Magassa — Bowen, Paqueta, Summerville — Wilson
Injured: Earthy (thigh), Fullkrug (quadriceps strain)
Suspended: None
Brentford will travel to London Stadium with a few key absentees.
Antoni Milambo is out for the long term after suffering an ACL injury on international duty, while Edmond-Paris Maghoma continues to regain full fitness following a thigh issue and is still unavailable.
Gustavo Nunes has resumed training and could be an option from the bench if deemed ready. Yegor Yarmoliuk and Aaron Hickey are nursing minor knocks but are expected to undergo late assessments before kickoff.
Brentford predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Kelleher (GK) — Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Hickey — Henderson, Yarmoliuk — Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade — Thiago
Injured: Milambo (knee), Maghoma (thigh), Gustavo Nunes (thigh, doubt), Yarmoliuk (knock, doubt), Hickey (knee, doubt)
Suspended: None
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West Ham vs. Brentford match details
- Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
- Kickoff time: 8 p.m. local / 12:30 a.m. IST (October 21)
- Location: London Stadium, London (England)
- Competition: Premier League
- Referee: Andy Madley
- VAR: Jarred Gillett
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