This Championship match sees a battle of two Albions as promotion hopefuls Brighton host relegation candidates Burton Albion.
Brighton have been having a relatively bad time of late with no wins in their last three matches in all competitions. However, they do still sit in second and, with five points separating them and Reading, look like they should go up.
Solidity had been the Seagulls’ strength throughout this season but it now seems that their defence has wobbled quite a bit with nine goals conceded in their last three games. Their strike force is certainly one of the best in the league but even they cannot help produce results with such a dodgy back-line.
Having said all that, going into this match, Brighton will be confident thanks to their spectacular home form which is the best in the league – 35 points from 14 games and just seven goals conceded at the AMEX. Furthermore, they have won their last six on the bounce in all competitions on home soil.
Burton’s most important piece of business in the January Transfer Window was undoubtedly getting manager Nigel Clough to stay at the club. The Brewers are currently in 21st and just above the relegation zone but they do at least have a three-point cushion.
Clough’s side are not the most attacking side in the division but do work incredibly hard and try to keep it relatively tight at the back. 41 goals conceded in 30 Championship matches is by no means an embarrassing statistic, however, they have not kept a clean sheet in their last 14 league games.
The Brewers have taken just 11 points from 15 away matches this season but the fact they won their last match on their travels away at Queens Park Rangers will give them a confidence booster going into this game.
It would certainly take a brave man to go against Brighton here and, despite their recent calamitous defending, and they really ought to be able to steady the ship by getting back to winning ways. Their previously sound defence can also get back to it’s former glory against a Burton side who’ve scored just 15 goals away from home. ‘Brighton to Win to Nil’, at 11/8, is the way to go.
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