One change to the Brighton workforce that battled for a deserved draw towards Liverpool. Tariq Lamptey is again from suspension; Neal Maupay drops to the bench.
Southampton are unchanged from their eventful defeat to Manchester United. Star striker Danny Ings returns from damage, however solely as an insurance coverage coverage on the bench.
Nonetheless, right here’s the largest and most welcome workforce information: 2,000 fortunate Brighton followers return to the Amex for the primary time because the March lockdown.
The groups
Brighton & Hove Albion: Ryan, Veltman, Dunk, Webster, Lamptey, White, Bissouma, March, Gross, Connolly, Welbeck.
Subs: Maupay, Trossard, Jahanbakhsh, Alzate, Steele, Bernardo, Burn.
Southampton: McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand, Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Djenepo, Walcott, Adams.
Subs: Stephens, Lengthy, Ings, Redmond, Salisu, Diallo, Forster.
Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire)
Preamble
It’s not the south-coast derby … nevertheless it’s a south-coast derby, and that’s adequate for us. Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Southampton, hoping for his or her first victory over their near-neighbours within the Premier League period, and three factors that may ease them additional away from the relegation zone.
Graham Potter’s facet are higher than their present whole of ten factors from ten matches counsel. After a sluggish however not at all times lucky begin to the season – suppose that recreation towards Manchester United – they’re starting to get it collectively. They’ve solely misplaced one among their final six, and that narrowly to leaders Tottenham; their final two matches have seen them go toe-to-toe with champions Liverpool and win impressively at Aston Villa. They give the impression of being a minimize above the opposite early-season strugglers.
Southampton are additionally a workforce on an upward trajectory. Admittedly they’re presently eighth within the desk having briefly been high, however you’ve tracked the final pattern, you get the gist. Ralph Hussenhattl’s entertaining workforce has been concerned in some humdingers this season – a 4-3 win at Aston Villa, a 3-3 draw at Chelsea, 5-2 and 3-2 losses at house to Spurs and Manchester United respectively – in addition to environment friendly dispatches of Everton and Newcastle, and a effective level at Wolves. They’re often value watching, a technique or one other.
All of which raises hope of a effective derby this night on the Amex. Kick off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
Up to date
