[Albion] Brighton & Hove Albion vs Southampton *** Official Match Thread ***

[Dick Head]

Albion v Southampton

PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: The American Express Stadium
Date: Friday 29th November 2024
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Referee: Rob Jones
Assistants: Neil Davies, Nick Hopton
Fourth Official: John Busby
VAR: Jarred Gillett
Additional VAR: Stuart Burt
​

TEAM NEWS

Brighton defenders Lewis Dunk and Tariq Lamptey, neither of whom have played since October due to injury, are back in the matchday squad.

Midfielder Carlos Baleba is suspended because of his red card last weekend.

Southampton's Adam Lallana limped off against Liverpool last Saturday and will be out for a couple of weeks.

However, Paul Onuachu, who also came off in that game, could be fit to play.

Aaron Ramsdale, Jan Bednarek, Will Smallbone, Ross Stewart and Juan Larios remain sidelined.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Southampton are winless in the past five Premier League meetings (D2, L3).
• There has been only one home victory in the 12 Premier League games between the teams - a 3-1 triumph for Brighton last May.
• Southampton have scored in all 12 of those fixtures, their best such run against another top-flight team.

Albion

• Brighton could equal their club record of three consecutive Premier League victories.
• The Seagulls are unbeaten at home in the league this season, with three wins and three draws.
• Albion are the only team yet to lose when conceding the first goal in Premier League games this season (W2, D2).
• Joao Pedro has been involved in six goals in his past five Premier League appearances, scoring four and setting up two.
• Danny Welbeck is one goal short of equalling Pascal Gross' Premier League club record of 30.

Southampton

• Southampton could lose 10 consecutive top-flight away games for the first time since 1974.
• Their only victory in 25 Premier League matches was 1-0 at home to Everton early this month (D5, L19).
• Saints have lost all eight league fixtures in which they’ve conceded first this season, the worst record in the top flight.
• However, they have lost just one of their past seven Premier League games played on a Friday (W4, D2).
• Adam Armstrong has scored in each of his last three home appearances in all competitions.

Fabian Hürzeler's Southampton Press Conference

 

[Mortdecai]

 

[Seagull58]

We MUST win this. Our best tactic is to lump it straight to their keeper at every opportunity so they can try to play out from the back.

 

[Insel affe]

Nailed on wheel loose

 

[HastingsSeagull]

Getting up to watch at 4am here. Need our boys through to the next round

 

[Greg Bobkin]

This next game could be season-defining. These are a good side.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I've got a feeling about this one

 

[oldboyroy]

This is a game we should (on paper) win. Its massive and a chance to start getting results that we've struggled to do for several seasons against lower table teams. Hoping Russell Martin sticks to his principles and we should be too good for them.

 

[HeaviestTed]

Pretty excited for this one, looking forward to the safe standing and the premium burgers which, finally, Sodexo are going to actually serve warm.

 

[Simster]

I'm looking forward to this one. Nailed on draw of course.

 

[Mustafa II]

Bottom team at home. Could finish the day 2nd in the Premier League.

Fluffing this fixture would be so typical. If we actually win this, it could turn out to be a very special season indeed.

 

[Han Solo]

These are the worst non-Sheffield Premier League team we've played against in the last five years.

While "every game is tough" and that sort of stuff... anything but 3 points would be very disappointing.

They can't beat us so the only way we can lose here is if we lose or draw.

Which has certainly been a quite common thing in the past but the £200m spent on attacking players is kind of supposed to have some impact on that.

 

[BBassic]

It's the hope that kills ya

 

[GoldstoneVintage]

One massive positive is their lack of James Ward Prowse. Safe to say he's been a thorn in our arse practically every time we've played them in the past. Here's hoping.

 

[Beach Hut]

So excited

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

The big one in this house! Woke up early already feeling tense!

Come on boys, please smash them!

 

[GoldstoneVintage]

I think as long as we can score more goals than them, we'll probably win.

Planning to have a digital detox today but I'll be back online for the game tomorrow.

UTA!

 

[essbee1]

My train gets in to Southampton central at 4.45. Where're everyone meeting pre-match?

 

[smillie's garden]

Never forget the Stains/Spuds stitch-up of ‘78! Leaving for The Dell soon.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Bottom team at home. Could finish the day 2nd in the Premier League.

Fluffing this fixture would be so typical. If we actually win this, it could turn out to be a very special season indeed.

Some might say the result could define our season...