As we wrap up 2022, we’re heading to the south coast to take on Brighton in a rematch following both teams’ 3-1 victories on Boxing Day. It’s been just 52 days since we last faced the Seagulls, who knocked us out of the Carabao Cup with another 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium. This is the first time ever that Brighton has the chance to beat us three times in a row. The Amex Stadium hasn’t been kind to us in recent years, but this season’s stats give us some hope of changing that, with six clean sheets in our eight away league games – the most of any team and already matching our total from last season.
Brighton had a strong start to the season, with four wins in their first six games and a spot in the top four before Graham Potter left for Chelsea. Many wondered if the club would fall apart after new manager Roberto De Zerbi failed to win any of his first five games. But a 4-1 thrashing of Chelsea on Potter’s return to the south coast, followed by victories over Wolves and us, proved the doubters wrong. Despite a home defeat to Aston Villa, Brighton headed into the World Cup break in seventh place.
They returned to domestic action earlier than us due to Carabao Cup obligations, but were eliminated on penalties by League One Charlton Athletic after a goalless draw. However, a 3-1 win over Southampton on Boxing Day gave the south coast plenty of festive cheer as De Zerbi looks to end the year on a high.
We’ll be without Gabriel Jesus, who suffered a knee injury at the World Cup, and Reiss Nelson, who pulled his hamstring against Juventus a fortnight ago. However, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Emile Smith Rowe have both returned to training, with Tomiyasu closer to a first-team return than Smith Rowe. Moises Caicedo will miss the game due to suspension, with Billy Gilmour expected to step in. Danny Welbeck and Adam Webster are both out with muscle issues, and Jakub Moder is a long-term injury absentee with a knee injury.
It’s going to be a tough game against a strong Brighton team that dominates many phases of play and has a lot of individual quality and composure on the ball. We’ll need to be at our best to come out on top.
