Two competitive Premier League teams will clash at the Amex Stadium this Saturday when Brighton & Hove Albion takes on Sunderland. This marks the first Premier League encounter between the two clubs and their first meeting in any competition since August 2011, when Brighton secured a narrow 1-0 win in the EFL Cup.
In recent form, Brighton began December poorly after an unbeaten spell in November, managing only four points from their last three league games. Despite a commendable performance against Liverpool, where head coach Fabian Hurzeler felt they deserved more, the Seagulls have since dropped to 10th in the league, trailing Crystal Palace by just three points. Their home ground has been a fortress, however, with 15 of their 23 points accumulated at the Amex this season. Historically, Brighton has dominated Sunderland at home, with 11 out of 13 league victories over the Black Cats occurring on their turf.
On the flip side, Sunderland, despite stumbling with a draw against Liverpool and a loss to Manchester City, earned a significant win against arch-rivals Newcastle United last week. Their thrilling 1-0 victory, secured by an own goal, marked their seventh win this season and propelled them to eighth place in the table, just a few points from the top four. With 26 points from 16 games, Sunderland is on track to match impressive records set by promoted teams in the past.
Head coach Regis Le Bris is optimistic about his squad’s readiness to face a strong Brighton side. Sunderland’s dependable defense has already seen them keep five clean sheets this season, which could prove vital in their quest for points.
In terms of team news, Brighton is grappling with multiple absentees; captains Lewis Dunk and Diego Gomez are suspended, and long-term injuries afflict players like Stefanos Tzimas and Solly March. On the other hand, Sunderland’s lineup could be tweaked due to international call-ups and suspensions, but they have players eager to impress, including midfielder Habib Diarra, who may return from injury.
With both teams looking to recover from recent setbacks, a closely contested match is anticipated. Based on historical meetings, expectations are set for another tight match-up, with Brighton slightly favored at home, yet Sunderland could very well emerge with at least a point.