Premier League Preview: Brighton vs. Brentford

Friday night football returns in the Premier League as Brighton hosts Brentford, following a Boxing Day filled with drama. Liverpool extended their lead at the top, Chelsea faltered against Fulham, and Manchester City dropped points against Everton. Tottenham and Manchester United also suffered defeats, while Wolves climbed out of the relegation zone with a second straight victory under their new manager.

Five without a win

Brighton has endured a run of five matches without a win, leaving them firmly in mid-table. Under Fabian Hurzeler, “The Seagulls” have earned a reputation as the league's Robin Hood—taking points from the giants but faltering against lower-ranked teams. They've beaten the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, and Newcastle, while also securing a draw against Arsenal.

However, since their 2-1 victory over City, Brighton’s form has wavered. Matches that could have propelled them into the top four—against Leicester, Southampton, and West Ham—ended in disappointment, with further losses to Crystal Palace and Fulham.

A Chance to Break the Trend

On the other hand, Brentford has been formidable at home, matching Liverpool’s tally of home points this season. They won seven of their first eight matches at the Gtech Community Stadium before falling 2-0 to Nottingham Forest last weekend. However, their away form remains a concern, as they have yet to secure a victory on the road.

While Brentford has faced tough away fixtures—playing Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Chelsea—they’ll be looking to finally secure three points on their travels.

Team News and Key Players

Brighton has failed to win in five consecutive matches despite scoring in 13 straight games. The team continues to create chances but lacks a cutting edge. Joao Pedro, who scored four times in the first six matches, has now gone five games without a goal. Brighton has also dropped 16 points from winning positions—second only to Fulham in this unenviable statistic. Injury concerns persist, though Adam Webster and Solly March could return, offering some relief to a squad that’s been heavily impacted by absences.

Brentford, meanwhile, has struggled to find the net away from home, scoring just six goals in eight away matches this season. Yoane Wissa is one goal away from equaling Ivan Toney’s record as Brentford’s all-time Premier League top scorer, though he’s yet to score in five appearances against Brighton. Manager Thomas Frank faces injury woes, with Kristoffer Ajer, Mads Roerslev, Sepp van den Berg, Mathias Jensen, and Ethan Pinnock all unavailable.

Betting Insights

Brighton has scored in their last 13 Premier League matches but conceded in 12 of them. Similarly, Brentford has allowed more shots on goal than any side except Southampton. Goals seem likely in this clash, making a bet on over 2.5 goals a solid choice. Odds 1,51 @ Betsson (4 units)

Premier League Friday Fixtures

Brighton vs. Brentford
Arsenal vs. Ipswich

TheTipster