Premier League: Liverpool Brace for Battle at Brighton

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Liverpool

Liverpool’s bid to successfully defend their Premier League title is looking good thus far. Even with a rash of injuries decimating their squad, the Reds still find themselves tied with Tottenham at the top of the table a quarter into the season.

With Tottenham facing a tough trip to Chelsea this weekend, Liverpool will have the perfect opportunity to pull ahead as they have a much easier assignment at the Amex against Brighton.

But while the Premier League 2020 betting odds have Liverpool as the significant favourites, Brighton have looked much better in their last couple of matches and could give the champions quite a competitive match.

Talking Points

Brighton attack suddenly looking bright

Brighton finally ended a disastrous six-match unbeaten run as they beat Aston Villa 2-1 away from home. Danny Welbeck got his first goal for the Seagulls to give them an early lead before Solly March scored the winner in the second half.

Brighton boss Graham Potter’s decision to alter their formation and put Welbeck in the starting line-up alongside Neal Maupay has had some positive results. The 29-year-old Welbeck has already produced six shots in his first two starts.

Graham Potter says he's pleased with how his Brighton team are performing right now in the Premier League — Brighton & Hove Albion’s Danny Welbeck and manager Graham Potter after the match vs Aston Villa

Prior to their win over Villa, the Seagulls also dominated Burnley at home and were unlucky to only come away with a goalless draw.

Leandro Trossard missed both matches due to injury, but the Belgian winger could be set to make his return against Liverpool. Trossard scored against the Reds in this fixture last season.

But even if Trossard is fit again, Potter may be hesitant to change his formation given how effective the Maupay-Welbeck partnership has looked this far.

Brighton usually find the back of the net. Only Burnley have kept a clean sheet against them in nine games this season.

However, they’ve also been quite leaky at the back themselves. They’ve already conceded 15 goals, although they currently have the second-best xGA this season, which indicates that they don’t surrender many great goalscoring opportunities.

Liverpool continue to deliver in the league

Despite their current rash of injuries, Liverpool just keep on producing excellent Premier League 2020 results. The Reds returned from the international break in style as they hammered Leicester 3-0 at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have now won three of their four Premier League matches since losing star defender Virgil van Dijk. Granted, all three of those wins have come at home. They also drew against Manchester City away before the break.

That clean sheet against Leicester was the first Liverpool have kept since beating Chelsea 2-0 in the second game of the season. The central defensive partnership of Fabinho and Joel Matip looked quite impressive against the Foxes’ dangerous forwards.

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Liverpool’s defence could also be handed a boost as midfielders Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are both close to returning to full fitness.

On the other end, Liverpool’s attack is firing on all cylinders in the league. They’re currently tied for second with 21 goals in nine games.

New signing Diogo Jota has been a revelation with four goals in seven Premier League appearances. Roberto Firmino, who has been struggling to score goals, also found the back of the net against Leicester and hit the woodwork twice.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah is expected to return to league action after missing the Leicester match due to Covid-19.

History

Liverpool’s league record against Brighton is as one-sided as it gets. The Reds have won all six of their Premier League meetings against the Seagulls.

But after losing both matches in 2017-18 by four goals each, Brighton have at least been more competitive in recent years. Three of their last four losses have been by a single goal.

Liverpool won 3-1 in their most recent meeting back in July, though. They were two goals up after just eight minutes as Salah scored a brace. Salah has scored five times in his career against the Seagulls.

Betting Tip

	Brighton & Hove Albion vs Liverpool	1X2 Liverpool @ 1.61
	November 28. 20:30 (GMT+8)

SBOTOP odds have Liverpool priced as big 1.61 favourites away from home against Brighton, who are 5.40 underdogs against the champions. Meanwhile, a draw is 3.80.

Liverpool will be busy hosting Atalanta in the Champions League in midweek, which could leave them a bit fatigued against Brighton.

But while the Seagulls could make things tough on the champions, it’s hard to bet against Liverpool at the moment. Even with the current limitations in their squad, they still manage to get the job done regardless. They should have more than enough to take care of business against Brighton.