Sunderland
- Sunderland are in solid mid-table form in 11th place in the Premier League, having picked up 40 points in 29 games so far, and will be looking to strengthen their top-tier credentials on Saturday when they host a lively Brighton side in a key matchup.
- Regis Le Bris has been impressive in his time at Sunderland, creating a pragmatic system that is tough to break down and deadly in transition.
- They usually set up in a flexible 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 and will aim to keep the game tight in a compact mid-block, before transitioning into dangerous positions on the break and creating wide overloads.
- Brian Brobbey is their focal point in attack, offering a physical presence up front and a clinical finish, scoring five times in 22 appearances in the Premier League this term.
Brighton
- Brighton have won two and lost three of their last five Premier League matches.
- Fabian Hürzeler is not an easy man to predict - but he brings a very different style of football to Brighton, who like to play fluidly, press aggressively and flood the attack with tempo and numbers.
- He has added some intensity to their play, as the Seagulls have scored four times in their last three Premier League outings, and pressed boldly against Arsenal last time out.
- Brighton, on the other hand, thrive on energy and tempo and this game could be won by whichever team controls the half-spaces and wide areas.
- Brighton’s away form has been a mixed bag this term, with a 2-0 win at Brentford and a 2-1 victory at home to Nottingham Forest, but they have struggled against the top sides, losing 1-0 to Arsenal at the Amex last time out.
- They are in 14th in the Premier League with 37 points from 29 games, just three points behind Sunderland.
- The Seagulls’ away form has been patchy, winning just three of 14 games, but they can get on the scoresheet against a Sunderland side that has lost their previous two at the Stadium of Light.
- Danny Welbeck remains their top scorer with 10 goals in 28 games in the top tier, while Diego Gomez has been in good form of late, scoring two of Brighton’s last four.
Key Players
- Brian Brobbey is their focal point in attack, offering a physical presence up front and a clinical finish, scoring five times in 22 appearances in the Premier League this term.
- Danny Welbeck remains their top scorer with 10 goals in 28 games in the top tier, while Diego Gomez has been in good form of late, scoring two of Brighton’s last four.
Prediction
Back Sunderland to edge a tense game, but both teams to score looks a solid bet, with Brighton's intensity and directness likely to help them find a goal, while Brighton’s aggressive pressing makes Sunderland’s counter-attacking threat a major weapon.
