Prediction: Brighton and Hove Albion vs Liverpool

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Brighton and Hove Albion earned their first-ever point in European competition with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Marseille in the Europa League earlier this week. They were trailing 2-0 but managed to stage a comeback to secure a valuable point. This result has undoubtedly boosted their confidence heading into their Premier League clash with Liverpool.

On the other hand, Liverpool managed to overcome their recent controversial struggles with a 2-0 win over Union SG in the Europa League. The victory would have come as a relief to Jurgen Klopp’s side, and they will aim to build on this positive result when they face Brighton.

Brighton and Hove Albion

Brighton’s recent defensive struggles, including a 6-1 defeat to Aston Villa and the 2-2 draw against Marseille in the Europa League, will be a concern for manager Roberto De Zerbi. The team has not kept a clean sheet this season and has conceded 20 goals in all competitions, which is the highest among Premier League teams.

Despite their defensive woes, Brighton has shown promise in attack, scoring 11 goals at home this season, which is second only to Aston Villa’s 13 in the Premier League. Their attacking prowess will be crucial as they face Liverpool, a team known for its attacking prowess.

Brighton currently sit in sixth place in the Premier League table, just three points behind league leaders Manchester City. A win against Liverpool would be a significant boost for the team and could see them climb further up the table.

However, facing Liverpool, who have a strong attack led by top-class forwards, will be a tough challenge. Brighton will need to find a balance between their attacking intent and defensive solidity to secure a positive result against the Reds.

Team News

Brighton will face Liverpool without several key players due to injuries. Pervis Estupinan, who contributed an own goal in their recent defeat to Aston Villa, is set to miss the game due to a thigh injury that is expected to keep him out for a month.

In addition to Estupinan, the team will also be without Jakub Moder and Julio Enciso, who are both dealing with knee injuries. Former Liverpool players James Milner and Adam Lallana are also expected to miss out on facing their former club due to their own injury concerns, although they should be available after the international break.

Tariq Lamptey is set to continue as the left-back in Estupinan’s absence, despite concerns about his workload. Teenage striker Evan Ferguson is likely to be recalled to lead the attack instead of veteran Danny Welbeck.

Liverpool

Liverpool’s recent history against Brighton in the Premier League has not been entirely positive. Last season, the Reds suffered two defeats at the hands of Brighton in the league and FA Cup, with scores of 3-0 and 2-1. Prior to those losses, Liverpool also experienced a thrilling 3-3 draw against this opponent at Anfield, in which Leandro Trossard scored a hat-trick before leaving the club for Arsenal in January.

These results against the Seagulls were part of a broader trend of struggles for Liverpool in away games in the Premier League last season. However, the team had previously put together an eight-game unbeaten streak on the road in the league before a difficult defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Liverpool’s defeat to Spurs was heavily marred by controversial decisions and red cards, leading to manager Jurgen Klopp’s comments about wanting a replay due to VAR errors. The team will be looking to put that disappointment fully behind them as they face Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

While Liverpool’s mixed lineup may not have been at their best during their recent Europa League match against Union SG, they managed to secure a clean sheet. The Reds will hope to continue their solid defensive performance against Brighton and aim for a better result than their recent Premier League visits to the south coast.

Team News

Curtis Jones is serving a three-game domestic ban for a tackle on Yves Bissouma, while Diogo Jota will miss one game due to a red card. Cody Gakpo is sidelined with a knee injury, and Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Caoimhin Kelleher (knee), and Thiago Alcantara (hip) are also unavailable.

With Curtis Jones suspended, Liverpool’s midfield options may be limited, and they could turn to Ryan Gravenberch, who scored his first goal for the club in the Europa League. Wataru Endo, known for his defensive abilities, could also be considered to provide cover in the middle of the park.

Conclusion

The Europa League fixtures midweek could indeed impact both Brighton and Liverpool, with player fatigue being a potential concern for the two managers. However, Liverpool’s ability to rest key players at home might give them a slight advantage in terms of freshness for this Premier League encounter.

Both teams have shown the ability to score goals this season, but Brighton’s defensive vulnerabilities have been a concern. Given Liverpool’s attacking prowess and their desire for revenge after recent losses to Brighton, not to mention the added motivation due to what happened in North London a week ago, the Reds may have the upper hand in this fixture.

While the match could still be an entertaining one with goals, Liverpool’s quality in attack and their determination to address their defensive issues could see them come out on top in this encounter.

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Olympusbet