Ahead of Friday’s Premier League clash, we have the Brighton vs Southampton preview, prediction, latest team news and predicted lineups.
Brighton Vs Southampton Preview
A victory for Brighton & Hove Albion will propel the Seagulls up to the lofty heights of second – leapfrogging Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in the process.
Standing in their way is fellow South Coast club and basement dwellers Southampton. Fabian Hurzeler’s side will be quietly confident of picking up the three points needed to break into the UEFA Champions League places.
Last time out, Hurzeler oversaw a fine 2-1 away win at Bournemouth which perfectly complemented their win by the exact same scoreline against the champions before the international break.
Star striker Joao Pedro opened the scoring after just four minutes before Kaoru Mitoma doubled the lead after half-time. Up-and-coming prodigy Carlos Baleba was sent-off on the hour mark which threatened to undo Brighton’s hard work.
David Brooks pulled one back in injury-time before Antoine Semenyo smashed the bar with just seconds remaining. However, the Seagulls held firm to claim the points.
At the Amex Stadium this season, Hurzeler is yet to taste defeat in the Premier League. The German manager has three wins and three draws to his name on home soil. Brentford and the Gunners are the only other top-flight sides yet to be defeated in front of their own fans.
Evan Ferguson hit a brace the last time the Saints came to town. The Irish international has struggled for minutes this season and is reportedly available for loan.
Setting our sights on Southampton… 👀🔜 pic.twitter.com/tDNwf3ca5h
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 28, 2024
Saints In Danger Of Being Cut Adrift
Southampton have endured a largely miserable return to the top-flight after winning promotion in May. Manager Russell Martin has overseen just one victory so far. That solitary win came against Everton on GW10.
A draw against struggling Ipswich is the only other point the Saints can boast this season. Nonetheless, the signs are there that Martin’s men do have plenty of fight in them.
Just ask table-toppers Liverpool. The Merseysiders found themselves 2-1 down with just over 20 minutes to go last time out before a Mo Salah brace saved the day.
Against Arsenal at the Emirates in October, the South Coast side took the lead before succumbing to a 3-1 loss. Even against Manchester City at the Etihad, the Saints pushed the champions hard in a 1-0 defeat.
However, defeat on Friday will mean it’s three defeats in a row for last season’s EFL Championship play-off winners. Before the international break, Wolves clinched a 2-0 win before the loss to the Reds last weekend.
A surprise win at the Amex won’t lift the Saints off the bottom of the table. But, they can reduce the gap before their relegation rivals play over the weekend.
Ahead of the match, the best football betting sites in the UK make Brighton the 4/9 favourites. The draw is available at 21/5 with Southampton priced at 13/2.
Brighton Vs Southampton Team News
James Milner and Solly March are definitely ruled out for Brighton & Hove Albion. However, Yankuba Minteh, Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood could return.
The same applies to Tariq Lamptey, Adam Webster and stalwart Lewis Dunk. All six players will need to be assessed before a decision is made on their potential participation.
Matt O’Riley could be handed his first ever Premier League start. The summer signing from Celtic would fill the void left by the suspended Carlos Baleba.
Meanwhile, Southampton will opt for Alex McCarthy in goal owing to the injuries suffered by Aaron Ramsdale and Gavin Bazunu.
The trio of Jan Bednarek, Ross Stewart and William Smallbone are also ruled out. There are also doubts over the fitness of Adam Lallana and Paul Onuachu who picked up minor injuries against Liverpool.
Wonderkid Tyler Dibling will start on the right-hand side with Adam Armstrong on the opposite flank. Cameron Archer or Chilean international Ben Brereton Diaz will lead the attack.
Brighton Vs Southampton Predicted Lineups
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Igor, Estupinan; Wieffer, O’Riley; Rutter, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck
Southampton (5-4-1): McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Downes, Stephens, Manning; Aribo, Fernandes, Dibling, Armstrong; Archer
Brighton Vs Southampton Prediction
Hosts Brighton are undefeated in their last five Premier League games against Southampton – winning on three occasions. We fully expect the Seagulls to get the better of the Saints once again on Friday.
The visitors often hit the back of the net at the Amex but their defensive frailties will be exposed Once again. We fully expect Fabian Hurzeler’s side to be in second spot after the full-time whistle.
Prediction: Brighton 4-2 Southampton
