By Graham Ruthven
Contrasting fortunes
It wasn’t so way back that Brighton had been flying excessive close to the highest of the Premier League desk. Certainly, the Seagulls misplaced simply one in all their opening 9 fixtures as Fabian Hürzeler made a robust begin because the membership’s new supervisor.
Now, although, Brighton are on a winless run of seven matches, though Monday’s 2-2 away draw towards Aston Villa might give the south coast aspect a platform to construct on as they enter 2025.
Arsenal, alternatively, have breathed new life into their title problem with successive wins over Crystal Palace, Ipswich City and Brentford.
The away victory over Brentford on New 12 months’s Day was notably spectacular given the current damage suffered by Bukayo Saka. Lacking their most efficient winger, the Gunners had been capable of produce a 3-1 win after falling behind.
Key gamers
With Saka sidelined by means of damage for the foreseeable future, Gabriel Jesus is predicted to as soon as once more begin in Arsenal’s ahead line on the Amex Stadium. The Brazilian’s return to scoring type has come at a very good time for the Gunners.
Ethan Nwaneri additionally caught the attention towards Brentford and it’s attainable {the teenager} might maintain his place within the lineup, giving Arsenal dynamism on the best aspect of the assault. Gabriel Martinelli will seemingly begin on the left.
Declan Rice might return to the lineup after beginning on the bench towards Brentford whereas Myles Lewis-Skelly might are available in at left again having pressured his means into the primary crew in current weeks.
Predicting the Brighton lineup is trickier given the variety of accidents being suffered by the Seagulls, however Hürzeler will in all probability construct his assault round João Pedro who registered a brace of assists within the current draw towards Villa.
Simon Adingra and Georginio Rutter can even give Brighton risk within the remaining third with Carlos Baleba essential to Brighton’s probabilities of stopping Arsenal discovering rhythm within the centre of the pitch.
On the again, Bart Verbruggen must be in prime type to maintain out the Arsenal assault with Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke anticipated to start out in entrance of the Dutch goalkeeper.
Group information
Brighton have a protracted misplaced of damage absences and considerations for Saturday’s match with no fewer than six first crew gamers anticipated to overlook out.
Evan Ferguson, Danny Welbeck, Mats Wieffer, James Milner, Ferdi Kadıoğlu and Jack Hinshelwood will all be sidelined with wing again Pervis Estupiñán additionally a doubt. Brighton’s squad depth is being examined in the mean time.
Kai Havertz might miss one other match by means of sickness whereas Jurrien Timber is suspended after choosing up his fifth yellow card of the season towards Brentford.
Raheem Sterling, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu can even be sidelined by means of damage as Arsenal emerge from a busy Christmas schedule.
Prediction
The Seagulls might have to attend one other week to interrupt that run and not using a win, with the Gunners most probably to increase their run on the South Coast: Brighton 1-2 Arsenal.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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