Fabian Hurzeler believes Mats Wieffer has one of the vital necessary roles at Brighton and is hopeful he shall be match to face Brentford on Friday.
Brighton are actually winless in 5 video games after their lightning-quick begin to the season however earned some extent in a 1-1 draw with West Ham on Saturday because of Wieffer’s opener.
Regardless of slipping to tenth within the desk, Brighton are nonetheless within the struggle for a European place, and Hurzeler thinks the Dutchman will play an necessary half going ahead if he can keep.
“These days you name it the holding six and I believe that this is among the most necessary positions in our crew,” stated Hurzeler.
“He is excellent in possession; he has good passing and a very good understanding of the sport. Out of possession, he’s very athletic.
“He’s a quick and tall participant, so he has the entire bundle to be a high, high participant within the Premier League.”
Again in motion at Brighton on Friday pic.twitter.com/XKZDF0GGNt
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 23, 2024
Brentford, in the meantime, noticed their unbeaten house begin within the Premier League ended by a 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
A win on Friday would see them leapfrog Brighton within the desk, however they’ve discovered it robust on the highway this season, failing to win any of their away video games to this point.
Accidents haven’t helped Thomas Frank’s crew, however he says it’s not an excuse for his or her run of poor outcomes.
“What I’ll say is I’ve bought a really sturdy beginning XI on the sideline with gamers out,” Frank stated. “However it’s a part of soccer, we have to take care of it, we’ve got no complaints about that.
“I believe we’ve got simply been unfortunate once more. A sample we would wish to look into is whether it is too many delicate tissue accidents, then we must look into coaching and strategies, however that’s all good. We are actually engaged on tips on how to flip them round shortly.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brighton – Mats Wieffer
Wieffer scored his first Brighton purpose within the draw with West Ham final outing.
He was the thirteenth participant to attain a Premier League purpose for the Seagulls this season, probably the most of any aspect within the competitors this time period (excl. personal objectives – Arsenal and Bournemouth on 12 every).
Scoring your first #PL purpose feels this good… pic.twitter.com/zHAT5euV9p
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) December 22, 2024
Brentford – Yoane Wissa
Solely Alexander Isak (10) has scored extra Premier League objectives this season with none of them coming from the penalty spot than Brentford’s Yoane Wissa (9).
MATCH PREDICTION: BRIGHTON WIN
Brighton are unbeaten in all three of their Premier League house video games in opposition to Brentford (W2 D1), having misplaced two of their final three in opposition to them at house earlier than their promotion.
In actual fact, Brentford have gained simply one among their final seven league video games in opposition to Brighton (D3 L3), a 2-0 house win in October 2022.
Hurzeler’s aspect have scored in every of their final 13 Premier League video games however have additionally solely saved one clear sheet on this run. Certainly, each groups have scored in every of the Seagulls’ final 9 league video games, since a 1-0 win at Newcastle in October.
And, Brighton have alternated between a draw (three) and defeat (two) of their final 5 Premier League video games, drawing 1-1 with West Ham final outing. They’ve opened the scoring in all three of those attracts.
Brentford have gained fewer factors away from house than another Premier League aspect this season (one), whereas throughout 2024 as a complete, solely Everton (10) have fewer factors than the Bees (11, excluding promoted/relegated sides).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Brighton – 48.6%
Draw – 25.8%
Brentford – 25.6%
