Nuno Espirito Santo Confirms Full Squad for Brentford Clash as West Ham Seek Survival Boost

Key facts

• West Ham United are 17th in the Premier League with 36 points, one place above the relegation zone.
• Brentford are 9th with 48 points, safe from relegation but out of European contention.
• Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed all West Ham players are available for Saturday's match at Gtech Community Stadium.
• West Ham have taken seven points from three Premier League games in April, lifting them out of the bottom three.
• Callum Wilson has scored crucial goals for West Ham despite limited starting minutes.
• Karim Virani has been appointed as West Ham's interim chief executive officer.
• Kick-off is at 15:00 BST on Saturday, 2nd May 2026.

Survival Battle Intensifies at Gtech Community Stadium

West Ham United travel to Brentford on Saturday locked in a desperate fight to preserve their Premier League status. The Hammers sit 17th with 36 points, just one place above the relegation zone, while Brentford occupy a comfortable 9th place with 48 points. Nuno Espirito Santo's side have won seven points from their last three league matches in April, a run that has lifted them out of the bottom three. The Portuguese manager acknowledged the improved results have transformed the mood around the club.

Nuno Confirms Clean Bill of Health Ahead of Brentford Trip

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed that all of West Ham's players are fit to face Brentford despite some minor knocks sustained in training. "All of West Ham's players seemed OK to face Brentford despite some small knocks in training," he said. The availability of a fully-fit squad is a significant boost for a team that has struggled with injuries throughout the season. Nuno will have the luxury of selecting from his entire roster as the Hammers seek to build on their recent upturn in form.

Manager of the Month Nomination Reflects Club Effort

Nuno Espirito Santo has been nominated for the Premier League Manager of the Month award for April, a recognition he attributed to the collective effort at the club. "I think the results have helped the atmosphere a lot. No matter what, we have to stick together, we have been through tough moments. We have been able to slowly change," he said. The Portuguese head coach described the nomination as a "club nomination," emphasising that the seven points from three games were a team achievement. West Ham's resurgence has been built on defensive solidity and timely goals from key players.

Callum Wilson's Impact From the Bench Praised by Manager

Nuno singled out striker Callum Wilson for praise, noting that the forward has contributed crucial goals despite limited starting opportunities. "It is very difficult and sometimes very unfair that we cannot put every player to start the game. Callum is one of the players that should deserve more minutes. He is giving back 1,000 times more. He has been getting goals which have been points for us, which is so crucial," Nuno said. Wilson's goals have been decisive in West Ham's recent run, underscoring the depth of the squad even as the team battles near the foot of the table.

Brentford's Set-Piece Threat and Physical Style Pose Challenge

Nuno acknowledged the difficulty of facing Brentford, a side known for their intensity and physical approach. "All of the games in the Premier League are intense. No matter what you are fighting for. It is going to be tough and we are preparing ourselves for Brentford," he said. The West Ham manager expressed confidence in his team's ability to neutralise Brentford's set-piece threat, but warned that Keith Andrews' side can "cause a lot of problems." Nuno added, "I think we can take examples of the way Brentford do things - they're very intense and very physical."

New Interim CEO and Eyes on Rivals as Season Nears Climax

Off the pitch, West Ham have appointed Karim Virani as interim chief executive officer. Nuno revealed he met with Virani on Friday and said their message was clear: "Let's do everything we can to help the team and accomplish our main goal." With the relegation battle reaching its climax, Nuno confirmed he will watch Tottenham's Sunday fixture against Aston Villa, a result that could impact West Ham's survival hopes. "Everyone is free to do whatever they want. Me, for sure, I am going to watch the game. Some players will watch the game. The priority is what you do," he said.

The bottom line

• West Ham are 17th with 36 points, one place above the relegation zone, with three games left after Brentford.
• Nuno Espirito Santo has a fully-fit squad for the first time in weeks, including Callum Wilson.
• Brentford are 9th with 48 points, playing without pressure but known for their physical and intense style.
• Karim Virani's appointment as interim CEO signals off-field stability during the relegation fight.
• West Ham's April form (7 points from 3 games) has given them momentum but they remain in danger.
• The match kicks off at 15:00 BST on Saturday, 2nd May 2026 at Gtech Community Stadium.