Sunderland vs Brighton Preview: Team News & Prediction
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One of the biggest trips in the Premier League this season sees Sunderland welcome Brighton and Hove Albion to the Stadium of Light on Wearside.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – Universo
Sunderland preview: Cup shock
Sunderland come into this one on the back of a shock 1-0 defeat to Port Vale, who sit rock-bottom in League One, in the fifth round of the FA Cup at Vale Park last weekend due to a first-half winner scored by New Zealand international striker Ben Waine.
The Black Cats have been generally impressive throughout this season, following their promotion to the Premier League last season, but they have been dipping for a while in the Premier League and were most recently fortunate to win away at Leeds United.
Brighton preview: Steady Seagulls again
Fabian Hurzeler has managed to ease the pressure on himself with the Brighton and Hove Albion supporters having been vocal in their discontent over his management, as they sit firmly in the middle-of-the-table in the Premier League.
The Seagulls recently enjoyed back-to-back victories against Brentford and then Nottingham Forest before a slender 1-0 loss to Arsenal at the AMEX Stadium due to a ninth minute winner scored by Bukayo Saka.
Sunderland team news: Brobbey returns to training
Sunderland are not yet able to welcome back first-choice goalkeeper Robin Roefs and key defensive duo Nordi Mukiele and Reinildo due to injury issues.
Key striker Brian Brobbey has now returned to training for the Black Cats, alongside Dennis Cirkin, with Bertrand Traore unavailable until May.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ellborg; Geertruida, Ballard, Alderete, Hume; Diarra, Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Mayenda, Le Fee
Unavailable: Roefs (Injured), Mukiele (Injured), Reinildo (Injured), Cirkin (Injured), Mundle (Injured), Ta Bi (Injured), Traore (Injured)
Questionable: Cirkin (Fitness), Brobbey (Fitness)
Brighton team news: Dunk and March fit
After slight concerns, Brighton captain Lewis Dunk is now fully fit for the trip up to the north east of England alongside the versatile attacker Solly March.
Japan international winger Kaoru Mitoma is now a doubt for this one, though, after being forced off through injury against Arsenal in their last outing.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Hinshelwood, Baleba; Minteh, Rutter, Gomez; Welbeck
Unavailable: Webster (Injured), Tzimas (Injured)
Questionable: Mitoma (Injured)
Sunderland vs Brighton prediction
Sunderland begin the weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just three points behind eighth and the likely European spots in this season’s Premier League. However, they are struggling for form of late. The hosts have scored just 30 goals in their 29 games, while Albion are often one of the most profligate teams in the top-flight and so a low-scoring encounter would seem quite likely for this one up in the north east of England.
Sunderland vs Brighton tip: Under 2.5 goals
