Brighton & Hove Albion welcome West Bromwich Albion to the Amex Stadium in the first part of this week’s Monday Night Football double bill.
Victory will lift Brighton above Manchester United into 15th position whilst West Brom will move above Brighton with a win into 16th position.
Team News
Davy Propper and Christian Walton could be available for Brighton after recovering from respective Achilles and ankle injuries, although the pair will be subject to late fitness tests.
Danny Welbeck could be set for his debut if he can prove his match fitness in time after signing on a free transfer from Watford prior to the Seagulls’ draw at Crystal Palace last weekend.
Lewis Dunk however begins a three match ban after being sent off at Palace and joins Florian Andone (knee), Jose Izquierdo (fitness) and Alireza Jahanbakhsh (hamstring) on sidelines.
West Brom will be without Sam Field after the midfielder suffered a knee injury during the international break and will join Hal Robson-Kanu (elbow) on sidelines.
Stat Attack
- Brighton have won one of two previous Premier League meetings against West Brom (W1, L1).
- West Brom are winless in their last four trips to Brighton in all competitions (D1, L3).
- There has been only two yellow cards dished out across two previous Premier League meetings between Brighton and West Brom, which both fell the Seagulls’ way in this fixture at Amex Stadium.
- No French Premier League players has produced more shots than Brighton’s Neal Maupay, who has produced 18 shots in five appearances this season.
- Coming into this weekend, West Brom’s Sam Johnstone had made a league-high 23 saves out of all goalkeepers in England’s top flight.
Prediction
Brighton still don’t seem to have shaken off their defensive fragilities with lot of their goals and red cards coming from careless mistakes, yet they do seem more connected in the attacking department which should stand them well if they quickly can get on the front foot.
West Brom meanwhile have their own defensive issues which is a worry when coming against a solid Brighton attack because they will need to play as well as they did last week against Burnley if want a point, otherwise I can see Brighton winning this encounter comfortably.
I however am not expecting a cracker and Lewis Dunk’s absence will be felt in defence but the Seagulls do look the better team and I can’t see them not getting the job done.
Prediction: Brighton 1-0 WBA
Result: Brighton 1-1 WBA