Brighton & Hove Albion will host Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Amex Stadium this Saturday in what promises to be a compelling Premier League encounter. Wolves are still fuming from recent VAR controversies and a frustrating defeat to Manchester City, while Brighton comes into the match with momentum following a narrow win over Newcastle United.
Brighton: Riding High but Cautious
Brighton capitalized on limited opportunities against Newcastle last weekend, with Danny Welbeck scoring the decisive goal. Despite being under pressure for much of the match, Brighton showed clinical precision to snatch the three points. However, Welbeck’s injury shortly after his goal cast a shadow over the victory, though it appears less severe than initially feared.
The Seagulls have enjoyed a strong start to the season, sitting fifth in the Premier League with 15 points, and remain unbeaten in October. They’ve shown great resilience, exemplified by their comeback from two goals down against Tottenham earlier this month. With Arsenal not playing until Sunday, Brighton could leap into the Champions League places with a win.
Brighton’s form at home has been impressive under manager Fabian Hürzeler, who has yet to lose at the Amex since taking charge. Across six home matches in all competitions, they’ve secured four wins and two draws. The goals have been flowing at home, with their last three fixtures at the Amex producing 14 goals combined. However, Brighton’s Premier League win rate against teams starting the weekend in the relegation zone sits at just 27%, a statistic that could give Wolves some hope.
Wolves: Spiraling but Fighting
Wolves enter the match on a six-game losing streak across all competitions, a run that belies their attacking prowess. Despite their struggles, the team has scored in each of their last nine matches, a streak rarely seen among teams fighting relegation. Yet defensive lapses and controversial officiating decisions have left Gary O’Neil’s side languishing in 20th place.
The latest of these setbacks came in their narrow 2-1 defeat to Manchester City. Jorgen Strand Larsen gave Wolves an early lead, but City responded through Josko Gvardiol’s stunning strike. Wolves were seconds away from securing a point, only for John Stones to head home a dramatic injury-time winner. A contentious VAR decision added further frustration for O’Neil, who suggested that officiating biases may favor title-chasing teams.
Despite their struggles, Wolves have been dangerous in attack. They scored twice in a recent 3-2 defeat to Brighton in the EFL Cup, and the prospect of an open, high-scoring match seems likely again. Wolves will need to break a concerning historical pattern, though, as they have taken only two points from their last five league meetings with Brighton.
Team News and Possible Lineups
Injuries are a concern for both sides heading into this match.
Brighton Team News
Brighton will be without several key players. Although Welbeck is recovering well, it’s unlikely he will start, leaving Evan Ferguson as the likely focal point in attack. Kaoru Mitoma is expected to return to the starting lineup, and Simon Adingra and Yankuba Minteh remain doubtful.
Other injury absences include Solly March, Adam Webster, Joao Pedro, James Milner, and Matt O’Riley. These absences will force Hürzeler to reshuffle his squad, especially in attack and midfield.
Brighton Predicted Starting XI:
- GK: Verbruggen
- Defenders: Veltman, Dunk, Igor, Kadioglu
- Midfielders: Baleba, Hinshelwood
- Forwards: Mitoma, Rutter, Ayari
- Striker: Ferguson
Wolves Team News
Wolves are also dealing with several injuries. Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Yerson Mosquera, and Boubacar Traore are all sidelined with knee problems, and Hwang Hee-chan is out with an ankle injury. There are also fitness concerns around goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who missed the Manchester City game with an adductor issue, though Jose Sa is expected to retain his place.
O’Neil clarified that Andre’s early withdrawal against Manchester City was tactical, meaning the midfielder should be available to start. Despite their low position in the table, Wolves’ attacking partnership of Larsen and Cunha will need to be at its best to trouble Brighton’s defense.
Wolves Predicted Starting XI:
- GK: Sa
- Defenders: Toti, Bueno, Dawson
- Midfielders: Semedo, Gomes, Andre, Lemina, Ait-Nouri
- Forwards: Larsen, Cunha
Key Battles and Tactical Approaches
Brighton will look to control possession and dictate play through the midfield, with Mitoma’s creativity and Ferguson’s movement up front posing a threat to Wolves’ defense. Hürzeler’s side will be wary of Wolves’ pace on the counterattack, especially given the visitors’ ability to find the back of the net consistently.
For Wolves, staying compact defensively and utilizing quick transitions will be crucial. With Brighton missing several attacking players, the visitors may look to exploit any disjointedness in their hosts’ attack. The interplay between Larsen and Cunha could be key to breaking Brighton’s backline, while set-pieces might also provide opportunities for Wolves to sneak a goal.
Prediction
Both teams have shown they can score, but Brighton’s superior form and home advantage make them favorites. However, Wolves’ ability to stay competitive despite their poor results suggests this could be closer than expected. If Brighton controls the tempo and limits Wolves’ counterattacks, they should have enough to secure three points.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
