Brighton vs Cardiff City
Date: 16/04/2019
K/O: 19:45
Venue: The Amex
Referee: Andre Marriner
Brighton host Cardiff City on Tuesday night in what will be a huge clash in the relegation battle.
Brighton are on the favourable side of the line before Tuesday’s clash, as they are five points clear of danger in 17th place – one place ahead of Cardiff in 18th. Southampton look to have made their season secure after their 3-1 victory at the weekend, and these two sides are the only ones in danger at this time. Chris Hughton’s side didn’t impress in their last home game as Bournemouth thrashed them 5-0 on Saturday. The home fans rightly vented their anger loudly at full-time and Hughton will look to bounce back as they welcome Cardiff.
Cardiff have lost seven consecutive Premier League games and they are favourites to be the final relegated team this campaign. Burnley beat them 2-0 at the weekend and ‘winnable’ fixtures are slowly slipping away for Neil Warnock. Cardiff have scored just once in their last six games and amending this will be vital for winning against Brighton. Considering the position of the two teams, this surely is a must-win game for the Bluebirds.
“We have supporters who pay a lot of money to come and watch games and they are entitled to their opinion,” said Hughton about the fans’ protests after the Bournemouth game. Everyone involved knows the importance of this game and the home crowd will surely be pumped at kick-off. A tense game is likely and Brighton will be happy to settle for the draw considering Cardiff have to play the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United after this.
Team News
Brighton
Chris Hughton has problems in attack especially after Anthony Knockaert was sent off against Bournemouth. The Frenchman is ruled out for three games and he will be missed. Solly March is also a doubt for the game as he is nursing a calf problem; March did not feature against Bournemouth and a late call will be made on the winger.
Pascal Gross is another absentee as the German has been out for a long time. A thigh injury has kept him out and there’s a small chance that he will recover for this game. Florian Andone and Jurgen Locadia started in the attack on Saturday as Glenn Murray was benched, perhaps explaining their limited chances against the Cherries.
Murray’s home form is commendable and he should return to the lineup. Jose Izquierdo was also on the bench last time and the winger will be pushing for a start as well. Hughton has a dilemma on his hands though as in whether to go for the jugular or start defensively, in an attempt to win the three points.
Cardiff City
Neil Warnock does not have any new injury problems to deal with. Sol Bamba and Callum Paterson will be sidelined for them as both continue to recover from long-term problems. Bamba ruptured his ACL last month, and Paterson is nursing an ankle problem. Both of them will miss the rest of the season in all likelihood.
Aside from those two, there are no major misses but Warnock did fiddle with his lineup against Burnley so changes may happen. Kenneth Zohore started the game as the striker, as Oumar Niasse was demoted to the bench. Niasse has struggled for goals since his January move from Everton and Zohore could continue in the role against Brighton.
The midfield and defence look secure though as Harry Arter returned to the lineup against Burnley. Josh Murphy and Junior Hoilett started on the wings but both failed to impress. Warnock could freshen up in that department if he opts to start someone like Nathaniel Mendez-Laing or Bobby Reid.
Predicted Starting XIs
Brighton (4-3-3): Ryan; Bernardo, Dunk, Duffy, Montoya; Bissouma, Stephens, Propper; Jahanbakhsh, Murray, Izquierdo
Cardiff City (4-1-4-1): Etheridge; Bennett, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Peltier; Gunnarsson; Murphy, Camarasa, Arter, Hoilett; Zohore
Score Prediction: Brighton 1 Cardiff City 0
Goals will be scant in this game as neither side is a potent attacking outfit. Brighton should have enough to clinch the three points, despite Cardiff’s stubborn defensive resistance.
