Roberto De Zerbi will want Brighton & Hove Albion to bring their European form into the Premier League when they face bottom-placed Sheffield United.
Roberto De Zerbi will hope for Brighton & Hove Albion to start churning out results to get their Premier League campaign back on track when they take on Sheffield United at home. The Seagulls are without a win in their last five games, with the previous weekend’s encounter against Everton ending in an eventful draw.
De Zerbi has struggled to determine his side’s inefficiency in creating and finishing chances. Their stellar form in the UEFA Europa League all the more baffles the Italian tactician. Brighton made more history following their victory over Ajax on Thursday, putting them on top of their group.
.@ANSUFATI with another goal against Ajax in the @EuropaLeague! 🤩💫 pic.twitter.com/R07MACw4eu
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 11, 2023
The Brighton boss may reach a tipping point soon and start demanding answers from his players. However, this particular game against Sheffield United can be a springboard for his stars, especially at home, to re-ignite their season and a potential fight to finish in the top four.
In another week dominated by the inefficiency of VAR, Wolves will feel undone by some of the decisions in their game against Sheffield United. With the match seemingly poised to end in a draw, VAR adjudged Fabio Silva’s foul in the penalty area and awarded a late penalty to the Blades, which Oliver Norwood put away.
Despite the controversial circumstances attached for the Blades, it was a much-needed win, one that Paul Heckingbottom hopes will re-define their season. Despite those three points, their first of the season, Sheffield United remain at the bottom of the table and still had plenty to do.
If things were heading positively, Heckingbottom might not have wanted a trip to the Amex as their next task. Their last away match ended in a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal, and the Blades boss will hope there is a different outcome this time.
Team News & Tactics
Brighton & Hove Albion
There are some positive news for Roberto De Zerbi, as Julio Enciso, Jakub Moder and Solly March steadily recover from their respective problems ahead of the Sheffield United game. However, De Zerbi’s options are restricted due to the absences of Danny Welbeck and Tariq Lamptey.
"Sunday is like a final. We will need our fans. If we win, we can reach a different level. Not in the table but in our mentality." ✊
Roberto's rallying cry. 😍 @MonsterEnergy 📺 pic.twitter.com/lBhlBRQfxc
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 10, 2023
De Zerbi will undoubtedly look to make a minor rotation to his lineup, with Igor an option at left-back instead of the veteran James Milner. Mahmoud Dahoud, Joao Pedro and Ansu Fati could drop down to the bench in favour of Billy Gilmour and Adam Lallana, while Simon Adingra is also an option in the final third.
Brighton have decent enough depth in their squad. But with some key players injured, De Zerbi will likely keep making these changes. That may also include a change of guard between the sticks, with Jason Steele likely to return and replace Bart Verbruggen.
Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson are well-placed to start in the final third for Brighton. But De Zerbi does not have many fresh options to call upon. That is also why he has insisted on resting the likes of Pedro and Fati, who can provide the spark off the bench if needed in games.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Steele; Veltman, Van Hecke, Webster, Igor; Gross, Gilmour, Lallana; Adingra, Ferguson, Mitoma
Sheffield United
If Paul Heckingbottom’s injury list was not long enough until now, the team’s medical staff have added Rhian Brewster and Gustavo Hamer to that list. The duo suffered their problems in the win over Wolves and join Daniel Jebbison, Tom Davies, John Egan, Rhys Norrington-Davies and Chris Basham, who are all unavailable for selection.
Squad updates ahead of Brighton. 📝
“Rhian’s had a scan on the back of his knee, not his original injury. We’ll be without him this weekend.
(McBurnie and Ahmedhodžić) Potentially. Both out today. Touch and go, we won’t take risks if there’s any doubt.”@OfficialFPL || #SUFC pic.twitter.com/2YUNRRddG5
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) November 10, 2023
Meanwhile, Max Lowe, Oli McBurnie and Anel Ahmedhodzic are close to returning. But Sunday’s game might have come too soon for the trio. In any case, Heckingbottom will not have selected them so early upon their returns to first-team action.
Returning to the injuries to Brewster and Hamer, only the former has been ruled out, meaning the attacking midfielder might have a chance to start against Brighton. Up front, Heckingbottom could look to add Benie Traore to the mix alongside Cameron Archer.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Foderingham; Baldock, Robinson, Trusty; Bogle, Souza, Norwood, Thomas; Hamer; Traore, Archer
Key Stats
- Brighton & Hove Albion have not won their last five Premier League games.
- Brighton have seen under 2.5 goals in their last four home matches against Sheffield United in all competitions.
- Sheffield United are unbeaten in their last six games against Brighton & Hove Albion in all competitions.
- Sheffield United registered their first win of the campaign against Wolves last weekend.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in nine of Sheffield United’s last 10 games in the Premier League.
Player to Watch
Evan Ferguson
🔵🇮🇪 Evan Ferguson: “I’m delighted to have committed my future to this great club, looking forward to building on what we’ve done so far together”.#BHAFC wanted to increase Ferguson’s salary as he signed new deal until June 2029. Key part of their project. pic.twitter.com/sFwDIqyjMv
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 10, 2023
The Irish striker has not hit the same levels he showed while scoring that famous hat-trick against Newcastle United earlier in the season. Like many of his other teammates, Ferguson has had a struggling period with Brighton. but he will be eager to bounce back and make a mark for De Zerbi.
Brighton need Ferguson’s talents, especially in the absence of Danny Welbeck, as De Zerbi does not have too much cover to replace his attackers. Ferguson will know a goal in the Premier League will do his confidence a whole world of good.
Prediction
Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 Sheffield United
Sheffield United were highly fortunate to have come out with three points amid controversial circumstances. Paul Heckingbottom would have loved to take on a club he may find easy to beat. The Blades have suffered in some of their recent away games, which might remain the case with Brighton hosting the Blades.
Roberto De Zerbi would want a commanding performance from his players, as the manager would have larger ambitions in the Premier League and will not tolerate another bad performance from his players, which would put pressure on Brighton stars to perform and get the points in the bag.
