Brighton & Hove Albion host Wolves at the Gtech Community Stadium on Monday, looking to get back to winning ways.
Brighton & Hove Albion are unbeaten in five of their last six Premier League matches, but they have picked up just two wins in that time ahead of the meeting with Wolves. Roberto De Zerbi will demand more from his players, and it remains to be seen whether Brighton can grind out all three points.
They are eighth in the league table and will look to push for European qualification. A strong second half of the season would certainly help them secure European football for the next season.
Wolves are 11th in the league table, and they are on a fine run of form. The Midlands outfit are coming into this game on the back of three consecutive league wins, and they will look to grind something out of this game as well.
Wolves have struggled against Brighton in the recent meetings, and it remains to be seen whether they can make amends. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Brighton & Hove Albion
The home team have several players injured heading into this contest. Joel Veltman, Julio Enciso and Solly March are ruled out with knee injuries. Tariq Lamptey, Ansu Fati, and Simon Adingra are recovering from thigh injuries. Kaoru Mitoma misses out with an ankle issue.
The home team are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Jason Steele in goal. Pervis Estupinan and Jack Hinshelwood will start as the full-backs, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Jan Paul van Hecke will start at the heart of the defence along with Lewis Dunk.
Pascal Gross will feaure in the midfield pivot along with Billy Gilmour. The two players will look to add defensive cover and drive to the midfield. Gross is also among the most creative players in the Premier League and will provide the impetus from the middle of the park.
Joao Pedro will start as the central attacking midfielder here, and he will look to link the midfield with the attack. Finally, Danny Welbeck will lead the line for Brighton against Wolves, with Facundo Buonanotte and Jakub Moder featuring in the wide areas.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Steele; Estupinan, Hecke, Dunk, Hinshelwood; Gross, Gilmour; Buonanotte, Pedro, Moder; Welbeck
Wolves
The visitors will be without Joao Gomes, who is suspended. Meanwhile, Hwang Hee-chan, Boubacar Traore, and Rayan Ait-Nouri are away on international duty.
Wolves will shape up in a 3-4-3 formation, with Jose Sa in goal. In the back three, Max Kilman will start alongside Craig Dawson and Toti Gomes. Nelson Semedo and Hugo Bueno will be deployed as the wing-backs, and they will look to protect the defence and help out during counter-attacks.
Mario Lemina will start in central midfield alongside Tommy Doyle. The two players will look to work hard defensively and keep things compact in the middle of the park. Matheus Cunha will lead the line for Wolves against Brighton, with Pablo Sarabia and Pedro Neto on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Sa; Kilman, Dawson, Toti; Semedo, Doyle, Lemina, Bueno; Sarabia, Cunha, Neto
Key Stats
- Brighton & Hove Albion have won their last four matches against Wolves.
- Brighton & Hove Albion has scored 16 goals in the last four matches against Wolves.
- Brighton & Hove Albion are unbeaten in five of their last six Premier league matches.
- Wolves are unbeaten in five of their last six Premier league matches.
- 23 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two teams.
Player to Watch
Matheus Cunha
The 24-year-old Brazilian forward has been in impressive form this season, scoring six goals and picking up five assists in the Premier League thus far. He has contributed with a goal or an assist in seven of his last ten appearances.
Cunha is a player on form, and he could make a big difference for Wolves in the final third. The-24-year old is more than just a goalscorer, and he will help carve out opportunities for his teammates with his creativity and link-up play.
Prediction
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Wolves
Both teams are quite evenly matched, and this is likely to be a cracking contest. Matches between these two sides are often packed with goals, and this one is unlikely to be any different. They are likely to push for the win, and this is will be an open game with a fair few chances for either side.
However, Brighton have a phenomenal record against Wolves in their recent meetings, and they should be able to edge this one. The Hard Tackle predicts Roberto De Zerbi and his charges to pick up a 2-1 victory.
