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Burnley vs Brighton & Hove Albion: 08/12/2018 – match preview and predicted starting XIs

Burnley vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Date: 08/12/2018

KO: 15.00

Venue: Turf Moor

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Burnley will look to record their first win in eight matches when they welcome Brighton to Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.

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The Clarets are in 19th place in the Premier League table, off the bottom only on goal difference. They showed signs of improvement in their defeat to Liverpool in the midweek fixtures and Sean Dyche will be hoping they can build on this to get a much-needed win.

If Brighton emerge victorious, it will be their third consecutive win in the division. Despite being relative newcomers to the Premier League, they are comfortable in 10th place and it looks like they will be in no real danger this season. Chris Hughton has done a remarkable job on the South Coast and has put together a team with a fine blend of experienced stalwarts and some more technically gifted players.

Team News

Sean Dyche made five changes for the Liverpool match, and after their spirited display he may be tempted to stick with that team. Steven Defour is touch and go as to whether he will be available after feeling discomfort in his knee against Crystal Palace last week. Stephen Ward and Nick Pope still remain sidelined with long-term injuries.

Glenn Murray, Brighton’s striker who has rolled back the years to score eight goals this season, was forced off injured in the recent victory against Crystal Palace. It is unclear whether he is a definite absentee for Saturday but Hughton will be hoping their talismanic striker will be back to full fitness.

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The fitness of Jose Izquierdo will be assessed as well, whilst Shane Duffy starts his three match suspension thanks to his red card against Crystal Palace. The centre-back pairing of Duffy and Lewis Dunk have been imperious for Brighton over the last few seasons so Burnley may use Duffy’s absence as an opportunity to have a go at the Brighton back line.

Dale Stephens is available after completing a suspension.

Predicted Starting XIs

Burnley (4-4-2): Hart; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Gudmundsson, Westwood, Cork, Brady; Barnes, Wood.

Brighton (4-4-1-1): Ryan; Montoya, Balogun, Dunk, Bernardo; Knockaert, Propper, Bissouma, Solly March; Gross; Andone.



Prediction: Burnley 2 Brighton 0

This is the sort of game which Burnley simply have to win if they want to get their season going once and for all. Brighton have been hit hard by suspension and injury and this seems like the sort of game where a dogged Burnley display can see them come out victorious.

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