Premier League: High-Flying Seagulls Welcome Struggling Tractor Boys at Home

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Ipswich Town

The international break finally comes to a rest, with club football about to resume its usual proceedings this weekend.

A Premier League showdown between two teams on the opposite end of the table, Brighton and Ipswich Town will be coming back from a two-week rest, with both squads looking to continue whatever momentum they’ve already built upon since the start of the season.

For the hosts, a home cooking is expected. They are one of the hottest teams in the league as of the moment, and a win would propel them to greater heights—given that Liverpool and Manchester City drop points in the weekend.

Their lives under Fabian Hurzeler—the youngest (permanent) Premier League manager in history—started out really well, and all doubts as to how Brighton will cope with the departure of Roberto De Zerbi have pretty much been put to rest.

In their last five matches, the Seagulls have won four and drawn one, and are currently sitting third in the league.

And whilst Brighton are having the time of their lives, Ipswich Town are experiencing a plethora of difficulties in their return to the English top flight.

A harrowing schedule didn’t do them any favours—facing Manchester City and Liverpool in their first two games—as they continue their slump towards the wrong end of the table.

Will a first win since the 2001/02 season finally arrive for the Tractor Boys? Or can Brighton keep up their blistering start? SBOTOP has all the answers for you.

 

Talking Points

Brighton’s eventful night at the Emirates

After battering Everton and scoring a late-game winner against Manchester United, Brighton were puffing their chest en route to a visit at the Emirates Stadium.

They were in-form, and despite Arsenal being the favourites, the Seagulls aren’t one to shy away from tough competition. It is also worth mentioning that Brighton also did not have the best of times whenever they take the centre stage in London, losing all seven matches they played at the capital last season.

Early into the match, the tides were looking to be against Brighton, as Arsenal were the dominant side early on. It also didn’t help that James Milner was taken off in the 17^th minute because of an injury.

Brighton eventually got into a rhythm afterwards but went down anyway after Kai Havertz scored the opening goal.

Somehow, Lady Luck smiled down on the Seagulls after Declan Rice was booked for a second yellow card in the 49^th minute, to which Brighton responded with a goal nine minutes later courtesy of Joao Pedro.

With a depleted squad, Arsenal found themselves on the back foot. However, Brighton failed to take advantage in the end.

 

Ipswich gain valuable point

Ipswich Town’s season started off in shambles, facing against two English giants and dropping out of the EFL Cup to begin with.

Still, they found solace in the fact that a first Premier League point in 22 years was finally realised in their previous match against Fulham.

The Tractor Boys started strong out of the gates, taking the lead in the 15^th minute after Liam Delap charged through from the middle of the pitch before firing a searing shot from outside the box.

However, Fulham levelled the match after Antonee Robinson’s cross intended for Rodrigo Muniz went overboard and instead found Adama Traore, who tapped it into the net.

Despite the draw, the match was probably the best one Ipswich have played so far, and they would hope to keep it up against Brighton.

 

History

The Seagulls have faced Ipswich Town numerous times already, albeit none of their matches were played at the top-flight level; Ipswich Town have 31 wins compared to Brighton’s 24, whilst the other 15 of their matches were draws.

Since 2012, the pair have met a total of 11 times (all in the Championship), with both sides going even at four wins and three stalemates.

Their last meeting was back in 2017 with a scoreline of 1-1.

 

Betting Tip

The Seagulls are favoured by the Premier League 2024 odds to come out of this one as the victors, whilst the Tractor Boys are the heavy underdogs at 6.60. Meanwhile, should the result finish the same way as their two previous meetings, then a bet on a draw goes for 4.83.

Brighton have shown plenty of Premier League 2024 highlights so far, and it would serve you well if you back them as the winners for this one.

   

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