Brighton & Hove Albion v Huddersfield Town
Date: 02/03/2019
Venue: The Amex
K/O: 15:00
Referee: Mike Dean
Brighton host a rejuvenated Huddersfield as they look to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Huddersfield are all but mathematically down unless they manage a miraculous escape.
Brighton, who have 27 points, face Huddersfield who have a mere 14 points. Despite the large points difference, the Terriers are the team in better form. Town come into this fixture after winning a huge game against Wolves in the last minute. Steve Mounie was the man who wheeled away in delight as he netted Towns 15th goal of the season, adding three more vital points to their total. Brighton come in to the game off the back of a defeat to Leicester. The Seagull’s played well, they battled hard and looked likely to equalise, but it was a tough ask playing against a Leicester side looking to impress the on-watching Brendan Rogers.
Huddersfield have finally done it. Before last weeks game, Town’s last win was in November – against Wolves. Now, 14 games later in the reverse fixture, they have finally won their third game of the season. It was becoming embarrassing for the west Yorkshire side, being so far behind and having the lowest points tally in all of the English leagues – they needed to win. And now that they have – but was it merely a consolation? With a 13 point gap between them and safety, a win this weekend would raise the chance for a potential miraculous escape.
Brighton who were also promoted in the 2017–18 season, are not safe either. The Seagull’s have accumulated only six points in their last ten games – losing seven of those. For a side facing a relegation battle, their form needs to improve or they could be sucked into a dogfight against the likes of Cardiff, Southampton, Fulham and even Huddersfield.
Huddersfield will definitely be looking at this game as one to win. Steve Mounie the match winner last week, netted just his second goal of the season and will be hoping he can gain his side three points. The Terriers struggled, but did well to break down and score against the Wolves back line, but this week could pose more of an opportunity for them. The Seagulls have only five clean sheets to their name this season which is actually the same as Huddersfield. This may well make for a goal fest this Saturday with the two sides desperate for points and both will be fighting it out with poor defences – a chance for either side to capitalise.
Brighton though, will be the favorites. Their attacking impetus will pose a much greater threat than the Huddersfield attack – the home side have almost double the amount of goals as the visitors: Brighton (29) Huddersfield (15). Glen Murray is the man responsible for the goals at the Amex. The Englishman has a total of ten goals, seven of those have come at home this season. Interestingly, he has scored more goals than Leroy Sane (8), Marcus Rashford (9) and Roberto Firmono (9). Not only do the Seagulls have a clinical striker, their defence often chips in with the goals. Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk have a total of seven goals together, offering a significance threat from set pieces – they will likely cause the Terriers some problems.
Team News
Brighton
Brighton’s, Balogun may not feature again this season, he is out with a serious shoulder injury and his return date is unknown. The much influential Pascal Groß suffered a hamstring injury against Leicester and won’t be available for selection this weekend, a blow for Chris Hughton’s side.
Hughton, will most likely name the same team as last week – minus Groß , who will be replaced by Bissouma.
Huddersfield
The injury list for Huddersfield is still a growing list: Diakhaby, Mbenza, Quaner, Ramadan Sobhi, van La Parra and Williams are all still out with long term injury’s and will not play a part this weekend.
Huddersfield Town defender, Duhaney picked up a knock against Wolves and will face a late fitness test to determine whether or not he will start. If he fails, Jan Siewert will likely replace him for for Bacuna who made a substitute appearance last week.
Siewert, will also face the decision whether or not to start Aaron Mooy. The Australian play-maker didn’t start last week, but held the team together well in the last quarter of an hour when he came on. If he does start, Town could revert to Wagner’s old 4-5-1 formation, with Grant missing out. But that is unlikely, as Siewert said he is pressing for an attacking Huddersfield side.
Predicted Starting XIs
Brighton & Hove Albion (4-3-3): Mat Ryan; Montoya, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Bissouma, Pröpper, Stephens; Knockaert, Murray, Solly March
Huddersfield Town (4-1-2-1-2): Lössl; Durm, Schindler, Kongolo, Duhaney; Stankovic; Hogg, Billing; Pritchard; Grant, Mooy
Score Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Huddersfield Town 2
A cagey affair is in order. Brighton will be feeling the pressure of relegation after last weeks loss, whilst Huddersfield have nothing to lose. This said, Brighton have more quality in their team and are playing at home, but after Town’s manic winner last week, I’m backing the visitors to make it two wins in a row.
