Brighton v Leeds predictions: Seagulls can emerge from sticky patch

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Brighton v Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 5.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Brighton
1pt 11-10 Betfair, Betfred

Team news

Brighton
Robert Sanchez is available after suspension but Steven Alzate and Danny Welbeck remain sidelined.

Leeds
Raphinha, Rodrigo and Jamie Shackleton are back in the mix for Leeds but Luke Ayling, Robin Koch and Patrick Bamford are still out.

Match preview

Brighton have gone more than two months and seven matches since their last Premier League victory but their points tally of 17 is seven more than at the same stage as last season, and they can add another three against Leeds at the Amex.

Despite the recent winless run, the glass is still half-full for the majority of Brighton fans, who appreciate the good work being done by Graham Potter.

The Seagulls are attractive to watch and have fallen on the wrong side of some fine margins in recent weeks, including last Saturday when they suffered a harsh 2-0 loss at Aston Villa.

It was always going to be tricky to be the first team to head to Villa Park after the appointment of Steven Gerrard, but Brighton soon quietened the crowd with long spells of possession and had looked the likelier winners until the 84th minute when Ollie Watkins popped up with a superb individual goal.

Potter is unlikely to feel the need to make many changes and his team look worthy favourites against Leeds, who remained fourth bottom after last Sunday's 2-1 loss at Tottenham.

Leeds totally dominated the first half against Spurs and were widely acclaimed for their overall performance but the result went against them, as has been the case on too many occasions this season.

The Yorkshire side finished the weekend just two points above the relegation zone and their position could worsen by the end of the year because four of their next seven games are against the top five sides, including daunting trips to Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool.

There is huge pressure on Leeds to pick up points in their less demanding fixtures and they have been boosted in the build-up to Brighton by the return to fitness of Raphinha and Rodrigo.

However, their attacking focal point Patrick Bamford remains unavailable and until his return, there could be a lack of incisiveness at the sharp end of Leeds's impressive approach play.

Goals are proving hard to come by and Leeds's tally of 12 is five fewer than this time last season, while the over-worked defence - exposed by Marcelo Bielsa's high-pressing style – is struggling to cope.

Bielsa's side have not kept a clean sheet since a 1-0 success at home to Watford in early October and their weaknesses in both boxes could contribute to another damaging defeat.

Key stat

Leeds have not kept a clean sheet in their last six matches.

Inside info

Brighton

Penalty taker Neal Maupay/Leandro Trossard
Free-kick wizard Pascal Gross
Set-piece aerial threat Shane Duffy
Card magnet Shane Duffy

Leeds

Penalty taker Rodrigo/Mateusz Klich
Free-kick wizardRaphinha
Set-piece aerial threatDiego Llorente
Card magnetLiam Cooper

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