Brighton vs Sunderland Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It is an extremely long trip to make just before Christmas as Brighton and Hove Albion welcome Sunderland down to the AMEX Stadium on the south coast this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – NBC
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – Peacock
Brighton preview: Stunted Seagulls
Brighton and Hove Albion come into this one on the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat to a struggling and out of form Liverpool side at Anfield last weekend due to a brace of goals scored by France international striker Hugo Ekitike.
The Seagulls do begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting tucked inside the top-half of the table with six victories, five draws and five defeats in their 16 matches so far this season, winless in their last three matches.
Sunderland preview: Purring Black Cats
Following their promotion to the top-flight last season, Sunderland have been very impressive as they begin the weekend sitting just outside of the top seven and the European spots after a remarkable opening few months of the campaign.
That continued last weekend as the Black Cats managed to defeat Newcastle United in the Wear-Tyne Derby at the Stadium of Light last weekend, courtesy of a Nick Woltemade own goal scored early on in the second-half.
Brighton team news: Dunk & Gomez suspended
Further details will appear here following pre-match press conferences…
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Boscagli, Kadioglu; Hinshelwood, Ayari; Minteh, Gruda, Mitoma; Rutter
Unavailable: Webster (Injured), Dunk (Suspended), Baleba (International duty), March (Injured), Gomez (Suspended), Tzimas (Injured)
Questionable: Welbeck (Fitness)
Sunderland team news: AFCON absentees
In his pre-match press conference, Regis Le Bris has confirmed that Senegal international midfielder Habib Diarra could feature this weekend as he returns to full fitness, but he will then depart for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Sunderland are dealing with lots of absentees due to AFCON as Noah Sadiki, Reinildo and Chemsdine Talbi have gone on international duty alongside Arthur Masuaku and Bertrand Traore.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete; Geertruida, Xhaka, Neil, Hume; Le Fee; Isidor, Brobbey
Unavailable: Alese (Injured), O'Nien (Suspended), Masuaku (International duty), Reinildo (International duty), Sadiki (International duty), Talbi (International duty), Traore (International duty)
Questionable: Diarra (Fitness)
Brighton vs Sunderland prediction
Sunderland have been very good this season, particularly on the counter-attack. Brighton will be expected to come out on top, especially with their home advantage, and there is a feeling as though the Wearsiders could turn in one of the more forgettable displays after the emotional input to last week, as well as the absence of quite a few key men for the next couple of weeks.
Brighton vs Sunderland tip: Brighton to win
