Brentford v Brighton predictions: Bees can rediscover their sting

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Brentford v Brighton in the Premier League on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 8pm Friday

Best bet

Brentford draw no bet
1pt 6-5 Betfred

Team news

Brentford
Christian Norgaard (Achilles), Pontus Jansson (hamstring) and Keane Lewis-Potter (ankle) are unavailable.

Brighton
Enock Mwepu has been forced to retire due to a heart condition. Jakub Moder (knee) is a long-term absentee.

Match preview

Brentford manager Thomas Frank admitted he was furious after last Saturday's 5-1 loss at Newcastle, but his team are usually more effective on home soil and can hit back against Brighton on Friday night.

As well as being a key top-flight tussle, the match is also a battle between former colleagues because Brentford owner Matthew Benham previously worked for Brighton counterpart Tony Bloom at Premier Bet before Benham left the company and their relationship soured.

Both have demonstrated bold, innovative leadership with their clubs, but while there are similarities with their off-field approach, the on-field tactics of Brentford manager Thomas Frank and Brighton gaffer Roberto De Zerbi are quite different.

Frank has modified the possession-based style that won Brentford promotion by favouring a more direct approach in the Premier League. His team averaged 44.3 per cent possession last season and are commanding only slightly more of the ball, 46.2 per cent, this term, but they continue to pick up points on a regular basis and are 11th with ten points from nine matches.

Brentford were uncharacteristically uncompetitive against Newcastle, but they have been generally strong at home, taking seven points from a possible 12 this term, and will feel Friday's game is eminently winnable.

Brighton started the season strongly and have the chance to move back into the top four with victory in west London. However, the Seagulls have taken just four points from their last four matches and must improve on last Saturday's 1-0 loss at home to Tottenham when they struggled to create clear cut chances.

Brighton have some good technicians in midfield and often dominate possession, but they lack a top-class finisher and have had far too many instances of playing well and failing to get the result.

Brentford are less silky than the Seagulls on the ball, but they carry a threat on the counter thanks to the pace of Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney.

The pair have contributed eight goals - two for Mbeumo and six for Toney - and their direct play is an obvious danger to Brighton, who often favour a high defensive line.

Brighton encountered similar tactics when they travelled to Fulham at the end of August and were beaten 2-1 despite amassing a 61 per cent share of possession.

They could be sucked into a similar trap by Brentford, who look decent value at odds against on the draw-no-bet coupon.

Key stat

Brentford have won five of their last nine home matches.

Inside info

Brentford

Penalty taker Ivan Toney
Assist ace Ivan Toney
Set-piece aerial threat Ben Mee
Card magnet Aaron Hickey

Brighton

Penalty taker Alexis Mac Allister
Assist ace Pascal Gross
Set-piece aerial threat Lewis Dunk
Card magnet Alexis Mac Allister

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