Brighton looking for win against Southampton to improve European qualification hopes

Brighton vs Southampton - 21/05/2023

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Southampton will spend next season in the Championship after being relegated from the English Premier League a week ago.

The Saints have nothing to lose in their last two matches of the campaign. Could they take points off south coast rival Brighton at the Amex on Sunday? A win or draw for Southampton would dent Brighton’s hopes of making the top six.

Brighton are on pace to qualify for Europe for the first time in club history. The Seagulls go into the weekend in sixth place and seven points off fifth-place Liverpool. Roberto De Zerbi’s team has a game in hand, which could help them ultimately overtake the Anfielders.

Liverpool will play around 24 hours before Brighton host Southampton. The Reds can turn up the pressure on De Zerbi’s team.

Pressure is something Brighton are feeling right now. The Seagulls defeated Arsenal a week ago at the Emirates 3-0. The win all but ended Arsenal’s title bid. Brighton won four of their last six Premier League matches. However, Brighton turned around and lost 4-1 to Newcastle on Thursday night.

Although De Zerbi was unable to lead Brighton to the FA Cup final, losing in the semifinal to Man United on penalties, he could get the Seagulls into either the Europa League or Conference League.

Southampton are on a four-match losing streak heading into the match on Sunday. Their 2-0 loss to Fulham a week ago sealed their relegation.

Three of the last six matches between Brighton and Southampton finished as draws. Brighton picked up two wins over Southampton's one during the same timeframe.

In the reverse fixture, Brighton won 3-1 at St Mary’s. The Seagulls are now four matches unbeaten against Southampton. The Boxing Day win for Brighton saw Adam Lallana open the scoring after 14 minutes.

Southampton’s Romain Perraud scored an own goal to give Brighton a 2-0 lead. Solly March added a third goal for Brighton to send them into a commanding lead. Southampton pulled a goal back courtesy of James Ward-Prowse but that was as close as the team could get.

De Zerbi could be without eight players for the match. March, Lallana, Adam Webster, Jakub Moder, Jeremy Sarmiento, Tariq Laptey, and Robert Sanchez are all ruled out due to their respective injuries. Defender Joel Veltman could be available following a thigh injury.

Ruben Selles will be without Perraud, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Valentino Livramento, Mohamed Salisu, and Juan Larios due to their respective injuries. Che Adams could be fit to make the squad.

Brighton should rebound from their midweek defeat with a win against relegated Southampton. It should be close with a 2-1 final score.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

EPL

Brighton Southampton 21/05/2023 15:00

552619

1

2 - 1

2.66

17°

1.22

1.22 7.00 11.00 no no no

FT

3 - 1(2 - 0)

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