[Albion] Brighton & Hove Albion vs Wolverhampton Wanderers *** Official Match Thread ***

[Dick Head]

Albion v Wolves

PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: The American Express Stadium
Date: Saturday 26th October 2024
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistants: Stuart Burt, James Mainwaring
Fourth Official: Gavin Ward
VAR: Graham Scott
Additional VAR: Adrian Holmes
​

TEAM NEWS

Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Danny Welbeck both face fitness tests on their respective injuries.

James Milner, Matt O’Riley, Joao Pedro and Adam Webster all remain out, while Solly March is still building up his fitness.

Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa excelled against Manchester City and could keep his place even if Sam Johnstone has recovered from the abductor issue that ruled him out of that game.

Hwang Hee-chan, Enso Gonzalez, Sasa Kalajdzic, Yerson Mosquera and Boubacar Traore are all still on the sidelines.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Brighton’s 11 top-flight wins over Wolves is more than they have managed against any other side.
• Wolves have earned just three wins in their 20 away league games against Brighton and all of those have been by 1-0.
• Brighton have already beaten Wolves 3-2 this season in a League Cup third-round tie.

Albion

• Brighton could equal their club Premier League record of three consecutive wins, set on two previous occasions.
• In their first four Premier League seasons, Albion's average points tally after eight matches was 7.8. That has risen to 15 points across their last three campaigns.
• They need a point to equal their highest tally of 16 after nine games of a top-flight season, set last year.
• The Seagulls have won just 12 of their 45 Premier League fixtures against teams starting the day in the relegation zone (27%).
• Lewis Dunk is poised to make his 250th Premier League appearance. His previous 249 have all been starts.
• Danny Welbeck’s five goals in eight league appearances has already equalled his final tally from 29 top-flight games last season. His best league return as a Brighton player is six, set in 2020-21 and 2022-23.

Wolves

• Wolves have earned just one point from their past 11 league games and have lost more games (10) and conceded more goals (33) than any other top-flight side in that time.
• They have failed to win any of their first eight league matches in a season for just the fourth time in the club's history.
• One point after eight games equals their lowest tally at this stage of a season, previously set in 1926-27 in the second tier.
• Wolves could register seven consecutive defeats in all competitions for the first time since March to April 2012 under Terry Connor.
• Their only victory in 18 league fixtures was 2-1 at home to Luton Town on 27 April.
• The Black Country side are looking to avoid becoming the first team in 64 years to lose six top-flight matches in a row despite scoring in every one. It last happened to Manchester City in November to December 1960.
• They are only the third team to concede as many as 23 goals after eight games of a Premier League season, emulating Sheffield Wednesday in 1999-00 (23) and Southampton in 2012-13 (24).
• Since the beginning of last season, only Erling Haaland (16) and Ollie Watkins (12) have scored more Premier League away goals than the 11 by Matheus Cunha.

Fabian Hürzeler's Wolves Press Conference

 

[dazzer6666]

Might have to stay awake for this.....

 

[Reddleman]

This is an interesting one. In the last few seasons our Achilles heal has been against teams in the bottom three who have been on a really poor run. If we can start more regularly winning those games alongside the results we are getting against the bigger teams we really will be onto something.

 

[jcdenton08]

Quite simply, through to the next round tonight lads, absolutely zero excuses.

 

[Beach Hut]

So excited

 

[Flounce]

This is an interesting one. In the last few seasons our Achilles heal has been against teams in the bottom three who have been on a really poor run. If we can start more regularly winning those games alongside the results we are getting against the bigger teams we really will be onto something.

It’s the hope……

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I've got a feeling about this one

 

[Safe.]

1-1. It seems too good to be true to win again. Hoping for the best, the team are more than capable.

 

[Goldstone1976]

were loose

 

[jcdenton08]

were loose

Not unless it’s celery

 

[jcdenton08]

I've got a feeling about this one

It’s got nil nil written all over it

What time is everyone setting off for Molineux?

 

[jimhigham]

Do we ever win three on the bounce in the league? Not really our style.

Wheel drawer.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Just leaving for Wolverhampton.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Do we ever win three on the bounce in the league? Not really our style.

Wheel drawer.

I think twice in the Prem. Pretty rare.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

were loose

Defiantly.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

This next game could be season-defining.

These are a good side.

 

[BBassic]

This:

Brighton’s 11 top-flight wins over Wolves is more than they have managed against any other side.

And this, on Wolves:

They have failed to win any of their first eight league matches in a season for just the fourth time in the club's history.

Have me feeling nervous.

 

[smillie's garden]

It’s got nil nil written all over it

What time is everyone setting off for Molineux?

Making a weekend of it. In a gorgeous Black Country B&B, run by Robert Plant’s mum.

 

[Hugo Rune]

I've got a feeling about this one

Me too.

Let’s be clear though.

Our form this season indicates a draw will happen. We get great results against the likes of Man Utd, Arsenal, Spurs & Newcastle yet come unstuck against the likes of Forest and Ipswich where we are expected to win but can’t.

Wolves have been very unlucky not to get draws against Man City and Newcastle after brilliant defensive performances.

They’ll block us out today I’m sure but might end up nicking a goal on the break and mugging last week’s mugger!

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Shame Rutter’s not playing with Fabian resting him ready for the big cup match on Wednesday night.