Premier League | Gameweek 18

Dec 27, 2024 at 7.30pm UK

Broadfield Stadium

Brighton vs Brentford

Match preview

An excellent start under Fabian Hurzeler had Brighton fans dreaming of a return to Europe after just one season away.

However, things have gone from bad to worse for the Seagulls, who have now gone five games without a win, including a humiliating 3-1 home defeat to rivals Crystal Palace.

Despite taking the lead against both Leicester City and West Ham United, they were held to a draw in both games, dropping them to 10th in the table.

However, Brighton are still only six points off the top four and two behind Manchester City for the final European spot, and their form here has helped them get off to a good start.

Palace's defeat was their first of the season at the Amex in eight attempts, and they now face a team they have not lost to at home in three previous Premier League meetings.

Tightening up defensively will be a big help to Hurzeler, especially with Aston Villa and Arsenal on the horizon after this clash.

Of Brighton's 20 games in all competitions this season, 16 have seen both teams score, with the last two iterations of this fixture at the Amex producing nine goals.

A repeat could be on the cards as Brentford, despite being in the bottom half of the table, are still among the league's top scorers.

However, they failed to find the back of the net last weekend as they lost 2-0 at home to Nottingham Forest, the first time they have failed to score at home in the Premier League this season.

The only other times Brentford have failed to find the net in a game this season were away to Liverpool and away to Everton, where they played over half the game with 10 men.

That has contributed to a run of four defeats in five games, with Thomas Frank's men's form quickly unravelling as they find themselves with nothing to fall back on away from the Gtech when home form starts to elude them.

Their solitary away point is the lowest in the PL this season, and only Everton (10) have fewer away points than Brentford's 11 over the entire 2024 campaign.

Recent Performance

Brighton & Hove Albion Premier League form:WDLDLD

Brentford Premier League form:DWLWLL

Brentford form (all competitions):WLWLLL

Team News

Brighton's Danny Welbeck is struggling to stay fit, having missed the last two games after coming on briefly in the draw with Leicester.

Mats Wieffer picked up a knock shortly after scoring against West Ham last week and is a doubt for this game, but Jack Hinshelwood and Ferdi Kadioglu are both in contention to return after recent setbacks.

Matt O'Riley returned to the squad last weekend but did not take the field, while Solly March has been in full training recently as he continues his long recovery from a serious knee injury.

Brentford's nine absentees is one of the highest in the league at the moment and Frank boldly claimed he could have a "very strong starting XI on the sidelines".

Mads Roerslev should be fit after being forced off late in the Forest game with a cut to his head, while Sepp van den Berg is also available after a groin problem.

However, fellow defenders Kristoffer Ajer and Ethan Pinnock are both out until 2025 and join Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, Igor Thiago and Josh Dasilva on the treatment table.

Mathias Jensen is also out injured and will not be fit in time for this game, but Frank has revealed that he is making very good progress and could be back before the end of the year.

Possible starting lineup

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:

Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Joao Pedro, Mitoma; Ferguson

Brentford possible starting lineup:

Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Mee, Van den Berg; Janelt, Norgaard, Damsgaard; Mbeumo, Wissa, Lewis-Potter