Brighton & Hove Albion look to close in on European qualification in a home clash against Southampton at the AMEX Stadium.
Victory would see Brighton stay sixth in the table but crucially move to within one point of sealing Europa League qualification.
Anything other than a win meanwhile would see already relegated Southampton confirmed as the rock-bottom club of this season’s standings.
Team News
Levi Colwill could return for Brighton after he missed their midweek defeat at Newcastle due to fatigue.
Joel Veltman (muscle) is a doubt for selection and could face a fitness test.
Robert Sanchez (personal), Adam Webster (muscle), Tariq Lamptey, Jakub Moder (both knee), Jeremy Sarmiento (foot), Solly March and Adam Lallana (both hamstring) remain absent.
Southampton could welcome striker, Che Adams back into contention after he missed their defeat against Fulham with a knock.
Armel Bella-Kotchap (hamstring), Romain Perraud (ankle), Mohamed Salisu (hip), Valentino Livramento (muscle) and Juan Larios (adductor) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Brighton host Southampton at AMEX Stadium in a 2:00pm BST kick-off on Sunday 21 May, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Brighton have lost just one of their last six meetings against Southampton (W2, D3, L1).
- Southampton have avoided defeat in five visits to Brighton (W3, D2).
- James Ward-Prowse has scored three goals in his last two appearances for Southampton against Brighton (D1, L1).
- Seven of Alexis Mac Allister’s 10 goals for Brighton this season were scored at home, of which four goals were scored from the penalty spot.
- Che Adams and Theo Walcott have both been caught offside on more occasions than any other Southampton player this season (14).
Prediction
With the top-four now beyond reach, Brighton now need to reset after a defensively sloppy performance at Newcastle where they were totally outclassed, amidst a decent spell early in the second half which will offer them some hope coming into this game.
You however do have to feel for Brighton a bit because that rearranged game could of easily been rescheduled earlier in this season, given that its postponement was known in late January and would of prevented their recent heavy fixture load.
Southampton meanwhile have the weight of relegation off their shoulders now that their downfall have been confirmed, which could actually make them more dangerous with no pressure upon them here but they must play with better intensity and end product than they produced against Fulham.
This match though feels like Brighton’s to lose given their quality but Southampton should give them a fight, especially given the Saints’ form at the AMEX but I just can’t see the visitors getting a result given their defensive fragilities.
Prediction: Brighton 2-1 Southampton
Result: Brighton 3-1 Southampton
Leave a Reply