Roberto De Zerbi will want his Brighton & Hove Albion players to regain form in the Premier League when they face a tough visiting team in Brentford.
Roberto De Zerbi will rue his Brighton & Hove Albion team’s performance against Chelsea at the weekend, as it was a brilliant opportunity for them to collect three points ahead of the visit of Brentford. The Blues took a two-goal lead, and soon after Facundo Buonanotte scored one, Conor Gallagher saw red for two bookable offences.
Fans would have sensed it as an opportunity to collect three points. Instead, Brighton shot themselves in the foot by conceding a second-half penalty. Joao Pedro’s late strike was only a consolation, as Chelsea held on to their slender lead and collected valuable points at Stamford Bridge.
One theory suggests De Zerbi might focus his efforts on winning the Europa League, but he will want to steady the ship in the Premier League. They now face Brentford at the Amex, with the Seagulls on a decent unbeaten run of six games at the venue. They will want to resurrect their fight for a top-four place, and a win should do them good on Wednesday.
Brentford are also eager to reclaim their status as hunters for a European place come the end of the season, but their recent form suggests otherwise. They managed to secure a comfortable victory over Luton Town at home, but there are some tough tests on the horizon for Thomas Frank’s men.
While Thomas Frank described the Luton win as a ‘complete performance’, Brentford have managed only one win in their last five Premier League games. The manager would like to change the dynamics in that and get his side back on track with their European ambitions and everything else.
They do have a favourable recent record against Brighton, and Frank would look to stretch their three-game unbeaten run over the Seagulls when they meet on Wednesday. A win would also take Brentford level on points with their opponents, but they might stay slightly behind on goal difference unless they can produce a massive result at the Amex.
Team News & Tactics
Brighton
Roberto De Zerbi will probably have nothing new to report with fitness updates, as he might have the same set of players that featured against Chelsea at the weekend. Lewis Dunk and Mahmoud Dahoud are still absent as they will serve the last of their suspensions, meaning the manager must make decisions on his defence and midfield.
Joao's tenth goal of the season in all competitions! ⚽️🎯 @DeJesusOfiicial 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/ZnK5dQRWq4
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) December 4, 2023
The changes for this midweek clash might come in small numbers, with De Zerbi likely to keep the same backline in play. Youngster Jack Hinshelwood impressed adequately enough to keep his place in the lineup as the manager continues to manoeuvre through a period without his recognised left-backs.
Bart Verbruggen might replace Jason Steele in goal. In midfield, Pascal Gross might come in place of Carlos Baleba and partner with Billy Gilmour in the middle. The German came on from the bench against Chelsea and looked sharp, while Baleba had a shaky game by his standards.
As for the attack, Joao Pedro’s late goal might have put him in contention for this midweek encounter, with the Brazilian likely to replace Adam Lallana. Simon Adingra could make way for Kaoru Mitoma on the left side, while Facundo Buonanotte will remain on the right-hand side of the attack. Evan Ferguson will continue to lead the line for Brighton.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Igor, Hinshelwood; Gross, Gilmour; Buonanotte, Pedro, Mitoma; Ferguson
Brentford
Brentford have a host of absentees, still not available to play including the suspended Ivan Toney. From the Luton clash on the weekend, they lost Christian Norgaard to a suspension after the midfielder picked up a yellow in that encounter.
“Is it true or not?” 😂
Trust @mzanka to be the voice of reason 🦵 pic.twitter.com/VBKCFlfI2I
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 4, 2023
Mathias Jensen appears to be Norgaard’s replacement in the middle of the park, with Yehor Yarmoliuk and Frank Onyeka on either side. There’s not much room for the manager to think, owing to some key personnel missing from action.
Neal Maupay will continue to lead the line for the Bees following his goalscoring performance at the weekend. Bryan Mbeumo remains this side’s most creative player, and he will take up his customary position on the right side of the front three, with Yoane Wissa stationed on the left.
The manager will be hopeful about Kristoffer Ajer, who pulled out of the squad right before the Luton game. He will go through an assessment before the clash, as Frank would prefer him at right back. If not, then Saman Ghoddos will replace him in the lineup again.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Flekken; Ajer, Ben Mee, Pinnock, Janelt; Onyeka, Jensen, Yarmoliuk; Mbeumo, Maupay, Wissa
Key Stats
- Brighton & Hove Albion are unbeaten in their last five home games in the Premier League.
- Brighton have only one Premier League win in their last eight games.
- Brighton have drawn each of their last three home games in the Premier League.
- Brentford have one victory in their last five Premier League games.
- Brentford are undefeated against Brighton in their last three games.
Player to Watch
Kaoru Mitoma
Another busy week. Let's go again! ✊ pic.twitter.com/GQjQ2CyWPc
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) December 4, 2023
The in-demand Japanese international had spent some time on the sidelines but showed he was back to full fitness and his expected levels when coming off the bench against Chelsea. Brighton have missed the winger’s presence in their side, as they have looked somewhat rudderless in the final third.
Hence, Roberto De Zerbi will want to deploy him from the start if entirely fit and bring a new lease of life into the attack. Mitoma will have a massive task on his shoulders to unlock this stubborn Brentford defence, but what Brighton get from him is how he manoeuvres through the backline and dictates things around the final third areas.
Prediction
Brighton 2-1 Brentford
The visitors are a dangerous side, especially in transitions, as Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa can particularly hurt oppositions with their speed and technique. The downside for Brighton is how they set up, taking high risks and somewhat being open.
However, the overall quality under Roberto De Zerbi might have the final say in proceedings as Kaoru Mitoma and Joao Pedro can have some joy opening up this Brentford defence. On paper, this game has the hallmarks of an entertaining draw, but the Seagulls, with their slightly superior quality, can snatch a win here.
