Brighton v Brentford predictions: Amex clash might not prove to be a thriller

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

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 8pm Sunday

Best bet

Draw & under 2.5 goals
1pt 3-1 bet365

Team news

Brighton
Lewis Dunk has been ruled out along with the suspended Yves Bissouma. However, Neal Maupay and Pascal Gross return from Covid-related issues, while Danny Welbeck and Adam Webster are also back in contention following injury. Jason Steele and Jurgen Locadia are isolating following positive Covid tests.

Brentford
Kristoffer Ajer, David Raya, Mathias Jorgensen and Joshua Dasilva remain out. Ivan Toney is set to return while Rico Henry and Charlie Goode face late fitness tests. Sergi Canos is back from suspension.

Match preview

Just goal difference separates Brighton and Brentford after 16 matches in the Premier League and they may still be locked level on points following their meeting at the Amex.

The Seagulls had the Bees’ measure in west London in September but have won only one of their subsequent 12 starts and for all their fluent football there is a distinct lack of points.

Goals remain the issue for Graham Potter’s side, who have netted just 14 times and have only rock-bottom Norwich below them in the scoring charts.

Brighton’s slick style of play has been well suited to causing problems for the Premier League’s elite, but their lack of firepower is costing them when faced with more resilient opponents.

Draws with Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham highlight their capabilities but they have also been held to a point by bottom pair Newcastle and Norwich, so odds-on backers may want to look elsewhere.

Potter’s men are winless in 11 and have shared the spoils in eight of their 16 top-flight fixtures, which could be the case one more.

Brighton's top scorer Neal Maupay, who has hit six goals in 14 games, should return but they have registered only seven efforts on target in their last three outings combined and must do more to feed the Frenchman.

Brentford also look set to welcome back their chief scoring threat Ivan Toney, who came through a 25-minute workout in Wednesday’s EFL Cup defeat to Chelsea.

Toney’s inclusion gives the Bees a focal point and his ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play could prove priceless in a game where Brighton should boss possession.

But if Brentford keep their shape and capitalise on the absence of Yves Bissoumsa in Brighton’s midfield then a point is well within their grasp.

Frank's men have lost on only two of their eight away trips - four have ended all-square - and they were gutsy in their come-from-behind 2-1 win at home to Watford a fortnight ago.

The Bees may have to ride another early storm at the Amex but they are certainly capable of doing so, which will then ask questions of the blunt home attack.

Given only four of Brighton’s 16 matches have rewarded backers of over 2.5 goals and seven of their eight draws have ended either 0-0 or 1-1, a low-scoring stalemate may be the way to go.

Key stat

Brighton have failed to score in four of their eight home league games this season.

Inside info

Brighton

Penalty taker Neal Maupay/Leandro Trossard
Free-kick wizardPascal Gross
Set-piece aerial threatShane Duffy
Card magnetAdam Lallana

Brentford

Penalty taker Ivan Toney
Free-kick wizard Bryan Mbeumo
Set-piece aerial threat Pontus Jansson
Card magnet Sergi Canos

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