Out of form Brighton and Hove Albion will host Sheffield United, who are coming off their first win of the season, on Sunday afternoon.
The Seagulls, known for their intricate style of play under head coach Roberto De Zerbi, have leaked too many goals this season (20), just one less than 17th-placed Luton Town.
To add, Brighton have only managed to keep two clean sheets so far in all competitions. Funnily enough both of them came in the Europa League against Ajax beating them 2-0 home and away.
Sheffield United however will be hoping to replicate their second half performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers which earned them all three points.
Opposition fans
“Sheff Utd will be nailing their hopes on a Brighton have 85% possession and 38 shots but fail to score type game.”
“Can see a comfortable win despite only having half a fit 1st team.”
“Has anyone else had an email from the club this morning?. . .If you have a ticket for the game, please bring your boots and report to a Senor De Zerbi at 12pm sharp.”
“Just got to get through this one, lick our wounds and rest up for a couple of weeks and hopefully have one or two back after the internationals.”
“Definitely a test of whether we are “coping” with Europa League v League or not.”
“I’d love to see us go strong, I’d love to see Fati start for once. He could put Sheffield away in the first half and make it an easy afternoon for us. They will battle like anything and defend what they have, so let’s not help them by playing a lot of inexperienced kids.”
“The Blades have their own injury worries: Egan, Basham and potentially Ahmedhodzic all centre backs out, as well as Rhian Brewster and a couple of others.”
“Sheffield United don’t seem to have much pace in their team.”
“Please don’t play Buonanotte – Sheff Utd too physical for him.”
“Anyone think Oliver Norwood might come back to haunt us?”
“Will be closer than it should be.”
“Crazy to think that actually the game against Sheffield Utd will be more difficult than a trip to Ajax.
Stats
Brighton has struggled in their recent home league matches against Sheffield United, going winless in their last six encounters, with three draws and three losses. Their last home victory against Sheffield United in the second tier was back in May 1987.
Sheffield United has never lost a Premier League game against Brighton, with two wins and two draws in their four meetings, and they’ve consistently scored exactly one goal in each of these matches.
Brighton’s Premier League season has been characterised by scoring and conceding in all 11 of their opening games. The last team to achieve this feat in the opening 12 top-flight matches of a season was Liverpool in 1966/67.
Sheffield United has struggled to avoid consecutive defeats in the Premier League, with their last back-to-back unbeaten games dating back to July 2020. The upcoming match against Brighton will be their 53rd Premier League game since then.
My opinion
There is a case to be made for: “has this fixture arrived at the right time for United”? It’s a fair question considering the injury status of some of Brighton’s best players, their poor form in the league of late as well as their lack of rest having played in the Netherlands on Thursday evening.
One thing about the Brighton team that’s expected to play on Sunday is, although they’re much better technically, they’re quite lightweight. If we can be aggressive and bully them early doors, that could set the tone. If that pattern of play happens, I can see the Blades sneaking a victory.
