Brighton & Hove Albion bring Boxing Day action to a close with a home clash against Brentford in Super Sunday Night Football at AMEX Stadium.
With both teams entering this match locked on 20 points apiece, victory would see either team climb to ninth if Leicester, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace all lose elsewhere in earlier kick-offs.
Team News
Joel Veltman could return for Brighton after recovering from a thigh injury suffered in their defeat to Wolves last time out.
Shane Duffy (suspension), Adam Webster (calf), Pascal Gross, Neal Maupay (both Coronavirus) and Danny Welbeck (hamstring) are also in contention.
Yves Bissouma is suspended and joins Jason Steele, Jurgen Locadia (both Coronavirus), Jeremy Sarmiento (hamstring), Lewis Dunk (knee) and Steven Alzate (ankle) on sidelines.
Brentford could have Rico Henry available if he passes a late fitness test after being substituted with a hamstring injury in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup exit to Chelsea.
Charlie Goode (hamstring) is a doubt but Julian Jeanvier, David Raya (both knee), Mathias Jorgensen, Kristoffer Ajer (both hamstring) and Josh Dasilva (hip) remain ruled out indefinitely.
Stat Attack
- Brighton won their only previous Premier League clash against Brentford 1-0 in September, with Leandro Trossard’ curled 90th minute winner.
- Brentford are visiting Brighton in the Premier League for the very first time.
- Brighton and Brentford have failed to both score in their last five clashes at AMEX Stadium, with the Seagulls winning three of those five games.
- Brighton drew their only previous home Boxing Day clash in the Premier League, having held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in 2018 which was also live on Sky Sports.
- Brentford have scored three goals in each of their last two Boxing Day matches (W2).
Prediction
Despite having endured 11 league games without a win in three months, Brighton have done incredibly well to grind out eight draws yet just lack that quality which was evident with rusty finishing in their last outing despite excellent pressing and defending.
Brentford meanwhile have rebounded well in the last month from a rut but a recent Coronavirus outbreak has meant no league action in three weeks, yet the Bees did look strong in their midweek defeat but wasted finishing and late defensive errors simply cost them.
Thomas Frank though can hope that the Bees’ performance is a launchpad to build upon because they were creative and dangerous, which could certainly cause Brighton some issues given their lack of recent game time but finishing could be key so I favour a narrow away win.
Prediction: Brighton 0-1 Brentford
Result: Brighton 2-0 Brentford
Leave a Reply