Prediction: Brighton vs Brentford

Verdict: Brighton win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who have their sights set on securing a famous European finish this season, Brighton will welcome Brentford to the Amex on Saturday afternoon.

Brighton

Starting with the hosts, while Brighton might have been disappointed to have seen Graham Potter leave the Amex back in September, the Seagulls have only continued to shine since they welcomed Roberto De Zerbi to the south coast. Enjoying what has been a famous Premier League campaign, the Seagulls now have their sights set on securing a European spot this season. Last seen heading into the international break by booking their FA Cup semi-final ticket thanks to a 5-0 romp league League Two outfit Grimsby, the one-time Sassuolo boss should find the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. In fact, on what has quickly become a remarkable run of form, Brighton have lost just one of their last 13 appearances across all competitions. With that extended purple patch stemming all the way back to New Year’s Eve, Di Zerbi’s high-flying squad will be hoping to make another top-six statement this weekend.

Team News

Brighton will once again be without long-term injury absentees Adam Lallana and Jakub Moder here. Impressing prior to the international break, Jason Steele will be hoping to keep his place between the sticks this weekend.

Bagging his first international goal while away with Ireland during the March qualifiers, 18-year-old sensation Evan Ferguson should lead the Seagulls’ charge on Saturday afternoon. Brighton’s homegrown star should be joined in attack by the red-hot Kaoru Mitoma.

Brentford

As for the visitors, although Brentford might have been disappointed after entering the international break with a 1-1 draw at home against relegation scrappers Leicester, Thomas Frank’s side have continued to gain a string of plaudits this season. With their own famous European spot at the top of their agenda in 2023, Thomas Frank’s men have suffered just a single Premier League defeat since returning from the World Cup’s winter break. However, while the Bees might have only claimed one win from their previous four Premier League appearances outside of west London, Saturday’s guests will be boosted by their most recent meeting against the Seagulls. It should be noted, when Brentford welcomed Brighton to the capital back on October 14th, Frank’s squad claimed a 2-0 victory on home soil. Despite being tipped as an underdog pick on the south coast, some in their camp could be smelling the chance to spring a Premier League upset.

Team News

Suffering a training ground knee injury at the start of March, Keane Lewis-Potter faces another month on the sideline. However, the Bees are hopeful that 23-year-old Mads Roerslev will be able to make his return on the south coast.

Picking up a late red card against Leicester prior to the international break, Shandon Baptiste will serve a one-match suspension this weekend. Earning his first England cap earlier in the week, attacking talisman Ivan Toney will spearhead Frank’s attack at the Amex.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met for their reverse meeting on October 14th, Brentford claimed a 2-0 victory in west London.
• However, the Bees have managed to win just one of their last four Premier League appearances on the road.
• Likewise, Saturday’s guests have also recorded just a single clean sheet in any of their previous six top-flight contests.
• Brighton have lost just one of their last 13 domestic contests across all formats – a run that stems back to New Year’s Eve.
• The Seagulls have also won six of their previous seven appearances at the Amex.

Conclusion

Booking their FA Cup semi-final ticket on March 19th thanks to a routine 5-0 romp at home against Grimsby, Brighton have their sights set on making real Premier League history this season. Knowing that they have a golden chance to claim a top-six finish in 2023, the Seagulls have only continued to shine since welcoming Di Zerbi to the south coast. Suffering just a single domestic defeat since way back on New Year’s Eve, Saturday’s hosts will be desperate to claim a crucial victory here. Although Brentford might have claimed a 2-0 win when they welcomed Brighton to west London six months ago, we are expecting a home victory at the Amex.

Verdict: Brighton win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet