So, Alphonse Areola will stand tall in goal behind a back four of Walker-Peters, Todibo, Maximilian Kilman – who makes his 50th West Ham appearance – and Scarles.
Souček – who is recalled to the starting XI against the Bees, having served a three-match suspension after being sent-off against Tottenham Hotspur in September – will play in midfield alongside Portugal U21 international Mateus Fernandes and Irving.
Captain Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville will flank Lucas Paquetá, who makes his 100th Premier League appearance for the Irons at London Stadium.
Bowen scored his first career hat-trick against Brentford in a 4-2 win at London Stadium in February 2024,
The bench will be filled by goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, full-backs Wan-Bissaka and Diouf, centre-back Mavropanos, midfielders Freddie Potts, Guido Rodríguez and Magassa and strikers Callum Marshall and Callum Wilson.
West Ham United: Areola, Walker-Peters, Todibo, Kilman, Scarles, Souček, Irving, Fernandes, Summerville, Bowen ©, Paquetá
Subs: Hermansen (GK), Wan-Bissaka, Diouf, Mavropanos, Potts, Rodríguez, Magassa, Marshall, Wilson
Brentford: Kelleher, Yarmoliuk, Van Den Berg, Collins ©, Ajer, Kayode, Damsgaard, Henderson, Ouattara, Thiago, Schade
Subs: Valdimarsson (GK), Henry, Pinnock, Jensen, Carvalho, Onyeka, Janelt, Nelson, Lewis-Potter
Referee: Andy Madley
