Prediction: Brighton vs Wolves

Verdict: Brighton win

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking too skyrocket their way into the Champions League places this weekend, Brighton will welcome Wolves to the Amex on Saturday afternoon.

Brighton

Starting with the hosts, getting a new era underway over the summer as they welcomed Fabian Hurzeler to the Amex, Brighton have only continued to shine under the former St. Pauli boss. Marking their return from October’s international break with a major statement as they clinched a 1-0 victory away at Newcastle, the Seagulls find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Mounting what was a sensational second-half comeback against Tottenham prior to October’s fortnight interval as they snatched a pulsating 3-2 win on home soil, Brighton will be looking to lay down another marker on Saturday afternoon. Getting this weekend’s fixtures underway sat within striking distance of skyrocketing into the Champions League spots, Hurzeler’s side have suffered just a single defeat from any of their first 10 competitive appearances across all competitions. Extending on their EFL Cup adventure on September 18th as they secured another 3-2 win against Wolves, the German tactician will be calling on a repeat performance here.

Team News

Yet to make a single appearance over the past month, Brighton are once again expected to be without Brazilian striker Joao Pedro on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, undergoing ankle surgery last month, summer recruit and former Celtic star Matt O’Riley will not be part of Hurzeler’s squad this weekend.

Bagging the winner at St. James’ Park last weekend and now notching three goals in his previous four Premier League appearances, former England international Danny Welbeck will lead Brighton’s charge. Making a real impact since arriving from Leeds last month, Georgino Rutter will once again partner Welbeck in the final third.

Wolves

As for the visitors, suffering major heartbreak last weekend as they fell to a last-gasp 2-1 loss at home against Manchester City, Wolves find themselves at the heart of a Premier League nightmare. Although Gary O’Neil’s side might have opened up the new campaign with a 1-1 stalemate away at Nottingham Forest, that is the only point that Saturday’s guests have collected from any of their first eight appearances. Heading into October’s international break with an action-packed 5-3 defeat at the hands of Brentford, the former Bournemouth boss finds his downbeat squad pencilled in as a leading relegation contender this season. Continuing to show a host of defensive struggles this year and already shipping 23 Premier League goals, Wolves should have another real challenge on their hands this weekend. Falling to that 3-2 loss when they travelled to the Amex while in EFL Cup action last month, O’Neil’s side have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders.

Team News

Suffering what was a long-term knee injury against Aston Villa last month, Wolves have already confirmed that Colombian defender Yerson Mosquera will not feature over the remainder of the season. Likewise, missing out against Manchester City last weekend, O’Neil’s side are once again sweating over the fitness of number one shot-stopper Sam Johnstone.

Bagging a consolation strike against the defending champions last weekend and finding the net in back-to-back appearances on either side of October’s international break, Jurgen Strand Larsen will be looking to extend on his recent flurry here. Ex-Man City starlet Thomas Doyle could make a first Premier League start of the season.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Brighton and Wolves met for an EFL Cup showdown on September 18th, the Seagulls collected an action-packed 3-2 win on home soil.
• Brighton have lost just one of their previous eight battles against Wolves at the Amex.
• The Seagulls have suffered just a single defeat from any of their first 10 domestic appearances across all competitions.
• Wolves have registered just a single point from any of their first eight Premier League appearances so far this season.
• Including a winner away at Newcastle last weekend, Danny Welbeck has scored three goals in his previous four Premier League appearances.

Conclusion

Collecting another heavyweight scalp last weekend as they clinched a 1-0 win away at Newcastle, Brighton are enjoying what has become a real purple patch. Sat within striking distance of skyrocketing into the Champions League spots, the Seagulls are firing on all cylinders. Claiming an action-packed 3-2 victory when they welcomed Wolves to the Amex for an EFL Cup showdown on September 18th, we are backing a similar home win on Saturday afternoon.

Verdict: Brighton win

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Luckster