Four straight league defeats have left West Ham just one point above the relegation zone, level on points with manager David Moyes’ former club Everton.
A 3-1 defeat at the Emirates on Boxing Day meant it was a losing return to action for the Hammers despite a very promising start, which saw them lead at half-time thanks to Said Benrahma’s penalty.
The damage was done before the World Cup break though, as losses to Leicester City, Crystal Palace and Manchester United left them in the predicament they currently find themselves in.
A 10-9 defeat on penalties to Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Cup in November also means that their last two wins both came in Europe and that is currently the only saving grace for Moyes, and is perhaps the reason why the pressure has not mounted quite as much as it has on other managers.
However, Silkeborg, Anderlecht and FCSB are a level below the sides they face, and need to start beating, domestically.
Ten of their 14 points this season have come at the London Stadium, so they must make home advantage count and finish 2022 with a result that moves them away from impending trouble.
Brentford, meanwhile, will be searching for back-to-back away league wins following their incredible success at the Etihad before the mid-season break.
They are four games unbeaten now in the Premier League following a draw on Boxing Day with Tottenham Hotspur which means they sit in the top half with the halfway point in the campaign approaching.
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With manager Thomas Frank also signing a new contract with the Bees until 2027, the Dane clearly believes he can still take this side even further.
However, deep down he will have been disappointed with their collapse against Spurs, which saw them squander a two-goal lead, even though he said he was impressed with the result afterwards.
Talisman Ivan Toney has not let the off-field investigations affect his performances on the pitch though, as the Brentford forward was on the scoresheet for a third consecutive match on Boxing Day.
His goal versus Spurs marked a 30th goal involvement in just his first 50 Premier League appearances, and he is just one goal off his league tally from last season already.
