[Albion] Brighton And Hove Albion U23 v Benfica Premier League international cup 7pm Tonight

[Taybha]

Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-23s play their second group game in the Premier League International Cup this evening, as they welcome European giants Benfica to the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre, kick-off 7pm.

The Seagulls drew 2-2 with Everton in their opening match last month, and Simon Rusk’s side will now play the first of two matches against foreign clubs, with Bayern Munich visiting in January.

Tonight’s opponents also kicked off their schedule against the Toffees, but the Portuguese outfit were defeated 2-0 and will be looking to get off the mark with an improved display against Albion.
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Benfica have competed in the Premier League International Cup every season since its introduction in 2014/15 — however the Eagles have only managed to progress from the group stage on one occasion.

The visitors arrive on the south coast with an unbeaten record across their previous four league matches, however their mosts recent results have been back-to-back 2-2 draws which came after their defeat to Everton.

Albion supporters can follow a live text blog from tonight’s game on the Match Centre, with a report and gallery being uploaded after the full-time whistle.


Match Previews Brighton and Hove Albion PL2 vs Benfica U23 on 22 Oct 18 U23 Team
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[turienzo's lovechild]

I don’t quite get this competition- what’s the premise and how did we qualify?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Taybha]

My understanding of it is that as a PL2 club we were invited and accepted , we're in a group of 4 Everton who we already played 2-2 , Benfica and Bayern Munich after this group stage it becomes a K.O competition , that's about all i know , here's the groups .
Man Utd drawn alongside new entrants PSG as Southampton are handed tough debut against holders Porto
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The groups for the 2018/19 Premier League International Cup have been confirmed, with Manchester United drawn alongside Paris Saint-Germain.

PSG are one of three new entrants in the competition, with Premier League 2's Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion. The French club will also face PSV Eindhoven and Derby County in Group F.

Southampton have been given a tough debut. They have been drawn in Group A with Porto, pictured above, the competition winners for the past two seasons.

West Ham United and Dinamo Zagreb complete the group.

Brighton will face Bayern Munich as well as Benfica and Everton in Group D.

International challenge
The Premier League International Cup gives young players from Category One academies the chance to test themselves against some of the best equivalent Under-23 sides from across Europe.

In its fifth season, the International Cup is split into six groups, with two English clubs and two invited European teams in each.

In the group stage, teams play each other once, with all matches hosted in England.

The group winners and the two best runners-up go through to the quarter-finals.

All knockout matches are one-off ties, to be decided by extra-time and penalties if level after 90 or 120 minutes.

See: 2018/19 International Cup group fixtures

2018/19 International Cup groups
Group A: Southampton, West Ham United, Porto, Dinamo Zagreb

Group B: Leicester City, Reading, Sparta Prague, Feyenoord

Group C: Norwich City, Tottenham Hotspur, Athletic Club Bilbao, Wolfsburg

Group D: Brighton & Hove Albion, Everton, Bayern Munich, Benfica

Group E: Liverpool, Swansea City, Hertha Berlin, Villarreal

Group F: Derby County, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, PSV Eindhoven

 

[Pavilionaire]

So is this the first European team Brighton and Hove Albion have played in a competitive match?

 

[Taybha]

So is this the first European team Brighton and Hove Albion have played in a competitive match?

In my lifetime i can't think or remember another one .

 

[Two Professors]

Albion team playing Benfica and Bayern-unbelievable Jeff!

 

[Taybha]

Albion team playing Benfica and Bayern-unbelievable Jeff!

Yeah nice easy group to kick off with , looking forward to see the different styles the continental youngsters play , i can't imagine they will be expecting our large bus for 70 minutes then full on for the last 20

 

[Richy_Seagull]

Will this be on seagulls world?

 

[Change at Barnham]

Is it open to the public?

 

[BNthree]

Is it open to the public?

Looks like you're too late: was available still yesterday but they stop sales of tickets of games at Lancing quite early on the day of the match:

https://seagullstickets.com/en-gb/categories/development

 

[Taybha]

Will this be on seagulls world?

Anyone's guess , if it is available on Seagulls TV they don't seem to advertise it until late in the day .

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

I am really looking forward to this, its a shame its not played at the Amex. Look forward to seeing what team we put out after playing so soon after Fridays game v Blackburn.

 

[Bob!]

Albion supporters can follow a live text blog from tonight’s game on the Match Centre, with a report and gallery being uploaded after the full-time whistle.

Will this be on seagulls world?

I'm guessing not, from the OP

 

[Taybha]

I'm guessing not, from the OP

"Albion supporters can follow a live text blog from tonight’s game on the Match Centre, with a report and gallery being uploaded after the full-time whistle."


It always says that in the morning pre match release , then pretty often Bert and Ernie turn up with a camera and microphone about 18.30 then it's shown on Seagulls TV , why the divulgence of the screened U23 games is kept a state secret until nearer kick off time i have no idea .

 

[sparkie]

"Albion supporters can follow a live text blog from tonight’s game on the Match Centre, with a report and gallery being uploaded after the full-time whistle."


It always says that in the morning pre match release , then pretty often Bert and Ernie turn up with a camera and microphone about 18.30 then it's shown on Seagulls TV , why the divulgence of the screened U23 games is kept a state secret until nearer kick off time i have no idea .

The albion got so much grief in the past about live streams not working that now they don't advertise them until they have done a live test just before kick off ?

 

[Taybha]

 

[Cozzy]

strangely IF you look closely they are selling monthly & season passes for SeagullsTV on the match page for tonight , maybe a hint it will be on SeagullsTV tonight .... MAYBE ...

NOW CONFIRMED LIVE

Watch Now button now available on SeagullsTV for those who have access

 

[Cozzy]

Albion Team

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DqIJJoFXgAEPUNg.jpg

 

[AZ Gull]

Albion Team

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DqIJJoFXgAEPUNg.jpgView attachment 101531

Interesting formation. Looks like three centre-backs (White, Barclay and Ostigard) with Bernardo as right wing-back and Gyokeres as left wing-back. Normann and Sanders in the centre, with Davies and Dreyer supporting Connolly.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

Clear sky - chill in the air and what looks like a full moon.