Brighton & Hove Albion face a tricky test against Premier League leaders, Arsenal ahead of the international break.
Victory would lift Brighton up to third if Hull fail to beat Newcastle, whilst Arsenal will stay top with a win.
Team News
Jaouen Hadjam is available for Brighton after he recovered from a minor knock suffered in their 3-2 Carabao Cup comeback win at Manchester United.
Zadok Yohanna (unspecified), Yankuba Minteh (leg), Stefanos Tzimas, Mats Wieffer (both knee), Femi Azeez, Kaoru Mitoma (both hamstring), Jack Hinshelwood and Evan Ferguson (both ankle) remain absent.
Arsenal could welcome defensive trio; Ben White (groin), Cristhian Mosquera (hamstring) and Piero Hincapie (fatigue/muscle) back into contention if pass late fitness checks.
William Saliba remains absent with a back injury.
When is Kick-Off?
Brighton host Arsenal at AMEX Stadium on Saturday 19 September at 3pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Brighton are winless in their last six league meetings against Arsenal (D2, L4).
- Arsenal have avoided defeat in their last six league trips to Brighton (W4, D2).
- Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls have kept two clean sheets in their four league matches so far this season (W2, D1, L1).
- Arsenal are yet to score a first-half away goal in the top flight this season (W2).
Prediction
Having luckily recovered from another slow start in their Carabao Cup comeback win at Man Utd, Brighton really can’t afford a first-gear opening phase if they want to win this game but they do have the quality to trouble Arsenal the longer they can keep the score level.
Arsenal meanwhile absolutely battered Ipswich clinically in the first hour of their tie then just switched off defensively once in comfortable control, but they should be back to near full strength with regulars back in the starting eleven so I expect them to be ready for this test.
If Brighton can keep the score level as long as possible, I can see them nicking a point if not the win but I just think that Arsenal will prove too strong.
Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Arsenal
Result: Brighton 3-0 Arsenal
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