Brighton & Hove Albion will aim to continue their strong run of form as they host winless Wolves at the Amex Stadium. Currently fifth in the Premier League, Brighton have amassed 15 points from eight matches, with four wins, three draws, and just one loss. After a dramatic 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur and a narrow 1-0 win against Newcastle United, the Seagulls will be determined to extend their winning streak to three games.
In contrast, Wolves find themselves struggling at the bottom of the league table with only one point from their first eight fixtures. Their solitary point came in Gameweek 2, and they have endured a six-match losing streak since then. Gary O’Neil’s side showed resilience in their recent 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, putting up a fight against the champions but ultimately falling short.
For Wolves, the trip to Brighton is a daunting challenge, especially given their current form. O’Neil’s men will need to produce something extraordinary to secure a positive result against a Brighton side that has been difficult to beat.
### Team News & Tactics
**Brighton & Hove Albion**
Brighton’s squad faces a few injury concerns ahead of the match. Danny Welbeck, who was stretchered off against Newcastle United, is back in training and might be available for selection. However, the Seagulls will still be without Solly March, Adam Webster, Joao Pedro, James Milner, and Matt O’Riley. Additionally, Simon Adingra and Yankuba Minteh are doubtful due to fitness issues.
Head coach Roberto de Zerbi is expected to deploy his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Bart Verbruggen will continue in goal, while Joel Veltman and Ferdi Kadıoğlu are likely to feature as full-backs. Lewis Dunk, who is set to make his 250th Premier League appearance, will partner with Igor Julio in central defense.
In midfield, Carlos Baleba and Jack Hinshelwood are expected to form the double pivot, providing defensive cover while also looking to control the flow of the game. Kaoru Mitoma and Yasin Ayari will operate as wingers, providing width and creativity, while Georginio Rutter could take up the central attacking midfield role. Evan Ferguson is expected to lead the line in attack, particularly if Danny Welbeck does not start.
**Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1):** Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Igor, Kadıoğlu; Baleba, Hinshelwood; Mitoma, Rutter, Ayari; Ferguson
Brighton will look to maintain their dominance at home, relying on their attacking options to break down a Wolves side desperate to find their first win of the season. Meanwhile, Wolves will need to tighten up defensively and hope to catch Brighton on the counter to avoid slipping deeper into trouble.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Gary O’Neil faces several injury challenges as he prepares Wolves for their trip to Brighton. Key players like Hwang Hee-chan, Yerson Mosquera, Boubacar Traore, Enso Gonzalez, and Sasa Kalajdzic are unavailable. However, there is a possibility that Sam Johnstone might be fit for the fixture, but Jose Sa is likely to retain his starting role in goal due to his recent strong performances.
O’Neil is expected to set up Wolves in a 3-5-2 formation to provide stability at the back while offering a threat in transition. Jose Sa will guard the net, and the defensive line in front of him will likely feature Santiago Bueno, Craig Dawson, and Toti Gomes. This back three will be tasked with maintaining a compact shape and frustrating Brighton’s attacking efforts.
Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri are set to start as the wing-backs, providing width and support both defensively and in transition. Their overlapping runs could be crucial in turning defense into attack, especially when Wolves look to break quickly against a Brighton side that likes to dominate possession.
In central midfield, Andre will be joined by Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes. This trio will need to be disciplined, focusing on breaking up Brighton’s play and preventing their midfield from controlling the tempo of the game. Their ability to intercept and regain possession will be key to Wolves’ hopes of limiting Brighton’s attacking options.
Up front, Wolves will rely on Jorgen Strand Larsen and Matheus Cunha in a two-man attack. The pair will look to stretch Brighton’s backline and capitalize on any counter-attacking opportunities. Cunha’s movement and creativity, coupled with Larsen’s physicality, will aim to trouble Brighton’s defense and provide Wolves with a cutting edge that has been missing in recent games.
**Probable Lineup (3-5-2):** Sa; Toti, Bueno, Dawson; Semedo, Gomes, Andre, Lemina, Ait-Nouri; Larsen, Cunha
Wolves will need a solid defensive performance and a clinical touch in attack if they are to upset Brighton’s momentum and secure their first victory of the season. With their backs against the wall, Gary O’Neil’s side will hope that this formation can offer the balance needed to compete against a strong Brighton outfit.
Key Stats
- Brighton & Hove Albion head into this match with a historical advantage over Wolves, having secured 11 top-flight wins against them—more than they’ve managed against any other side. This edge is further highlighted by Wolves’ struggles away to Brighton, as they’ve only managed three wins in 20 league visits to the Amex, all by a narrow 1-0 scoreline. A draw or better for Brighton would see them equal their highest-ever points tally of 16 after nine Premier League games, matching their achievement from last season.Wolves, on the other hand, are in a dire run of form, having picked up just one point from their last 11 Premier League outings. Their 10 defeats and 33 goals conceded during this period make them the league’s most struggling side defensively. It’s also the fourth time in the club’s history that Wolves have failed to win any of their first eight matches in a top-flight campaign, piling pressure on Gary O’Neil to turn things around.
Despite Brighton’s strong position, they have historically found it challenging against teams starting the day in the relegation zone, winning only 12 out of 45 such
Prediction
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Brighton & Hove Albion have indeed been in impressive form recently, with consecutive wins in the Premier League, and they’ll look to make it three in a row against a struggling Wolves side. Wolves have yet to secure a win this season, and given Brighton’s current momentum, it’s hard to see that changing. The Seagulls’ confidence and attacking play should give them the edge. The Hard Tackle’s prediction of a 2-0 victory reflects the current dynamics between the two teams. However, it’s worth noting that Brighton’s manager is Roberto De Zerbi, not Fabian Hurzeler, which seems to be an error in the prediction.
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