Burnley vs Brighton: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

The Seagulls have endured a mixed season, but they are still in the hunt to achieve European football for the second season in a row.  They currently occupy 10th place, but are just five points off West Ham who are in seventh.  A victory this weekend would see them climb the table should results go their way.  However, defeat could see them fall further behind and leave them with an uphill battle given there is so little time remaining.

Vincent Kompany’s side recently enjoyed a four-game unbeaten run before last weekend’s defeat at Everton.  It had given them momentum and hopes of catching those above them, but the latest loss was a significant setback, especially as it was against a side who they are looking to chase.  They are still 19th, but are six points from safety with six games to go.  Three points against Brighton would renew some optimism, but a loss would most likely condemn them to an immediate return to the Championship.

With two in their last five league games, Brighton have been struggling for goals.  Their opponents have scored seven in the same period, but have not kept a clean sheet since December, offering the visitors a chance to get back on track offensively.  Joao Pedro is Roberto De Zerbi’s top scorer, and his recent return from injury has given him a very timely boost.  Burnley have four players on four goals, most notably January loan signing David Datro Fofana, who has reached that tally in just nine games.

These two sides have met 11 times in the Premier League.  Burnley have slightly edged it, winning three games to two, with six draws.  Three of these draws ended goalless.  The reverse fixture earlier this season took place in early December, and the points were shared in the 1-1 draw.  Wilson Odobert gave the visitors the lead, but this was cancelled out by Brighton’s Simon Adingra with just over 10 minutes to play.

Burnley Team News

Dara O’Shea will serve the first of a three-game suspension following his red card against Everton. Jordan Beyer and Ameen Al-Dakhil are expected to return by the end of the month. The club is hopeful that Luca Koleosho will make a comeback before the end of the season. 

Brighton Team News

Striker Evan Ferguson is hopeful to return in this game.  Billy Gilmour is out with a knee injury, whilst Kaoru Mitoma and Jack Hinshelwood’s seasons are over.

Burnley

In their last five games, Burnley have won one, lost one and drawn three.  It has been a decent stretch for struggling Burnley, but they will have been disappointed to have lost the most important fixture at Everton.  The Clarets travelled to Goodison Park, but came away with a 1-0 defeat. The winning goal came from the spot as Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time.  Dara O’Shea was sent off for the visitors in the second half.

This followed two straight draws, at home to Wolves and away at Chelsea.  Against Wolves, they took the lead through Jacob Bruun Larsen, but this was cancelled out just before the break by Rayan Ait-Nouri.  Their point at Stamford Bridge was a lot more impressive given they had played the entire second half with a man less.  Cole Palmer opened the scoring with a penalty, before the 10 men equalised two minutes after the restart through Josh Cullen.  Palmer added his second to surely lead his side to a win, but O’Shea responded just three minutes later to ensure the points were shared.

Brentford were on the end of Burnley’s only win, as Vincent Kompany’s team prevailed 2-1.  The visitors were reduced to 10 men after just eight minutes as Sergio Regiulion saw red for a challenge in the box.  Bruun Larsen scored from the resulting penalty and the lead was doubled in the second half through loanee David Datro Fofana.  Kristoffer Ajer pulled one back but they could not find the equaliser.  The first game was another draw, this time it was 2-2 at West Ham.  Burnley rued giving up a 2-0 half-time lead, as Danny Ings equalised in stoppage time.

Brighton

In their last five games, Brighton have won two, lost two and drawn one.  It has been an inconsistent stretch for the Seagulls, with the latest game being a 3-0 home at loss to title challenging Arsenal.  Bukayo Saka opened the scoring from the spot after a Tariq Lamptey foul, before Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard added to the lead in the second half.

This followed a goalless draw at Brentford. Brighton dominated, but neither side could find the breakthrough.  They had to endure another tricky match, this time at Anfield, but Liverpool won 2-1, despite the visitors taking a very early lead.  Danny Welbeck stunned the home fans as he put his side ahead two minutes in.  However, the Reds fought back with goals from Luis Dias and Mohamed Salah turning it around.  

Focus shifted to European action as they competed in the second leg of their Round of 16 Europa League tie against Roma.  They lost the first leg 4-0 so they were effectively already out, but they managed to pick up a win against the heavily rotated Italian side.  Welbeck got the only goal of the game shortly before half-time.  The first game of this run was a narrow 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest.  Brighton enjoyed more possession, but it was an own goal from Andrew Omobamidele which secured all three points.

Both teams will be desperate to bounce back from defeats, but there should not be too much to split the teams, especially with Burnley’s recent form before their loss to Everton.  We expect the points to be shared – Burnley 1-1 Brighton

Burnley vs Brighton will not be available to watch on TV in the UK.