Brighton are unbeaten in four straight Premier League games against Burnley. On Saturday, the Premier League rivals will clash at Turf Moor in what is an early season six-point affair.
Both clubs fought relegation in 2020-21 and a win for either side could create momentum for a midtable finish. Burnley ended last season in 17th place and 11 points above 18th-place Fulham.
Excited for the new season? 🙌Enjoy some memorable opening day goals right here... ⚽️🎯 #TBT pic.twitter.com/qojHYhwc2h— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 12, 2021
Excited for the new season? 🙌Enjoy some memorable opening day goals right here... ⚽️🎯 #TBT pic.twitter.com/qojHYhwc2h
Although Sean Dyche’s team were 11 points ahead of the drop, they flirted with relegation until the final weeks of the campaign.
Graham Potter’s Brighton did little better. They finished 2020-21 in 16th place and two points ahead of Burnley. Brighton have seen a shakeup of the squad in the offseason with Ben White, Mat Ryan and Ali Jahanbakhash sold.
The team’s big summer signing is midfielder Enock Mwepu. Paired with midfielder Yves Bissouma, the do should improve Brighton’s central area.
Burnley signed centre-back Nathan Collins from Stoke City. He is the only significant addition to the side. There have been no upgrades to Burnley’s lacklustre attack from a season ago. Fans should prepare for another season with a lack of goals, but a defence decent enough to keep them in the Premier League.
The Clarets scored just 33 goals in the Premier League 2020-21. It was the third-lowest total with relegated Sheffield United and Fulham being the lowest scoring teams last term. Burnley gave up 55 goals which was the sixth-most.
Brighton only scored 40 times in 2020-21 which was the league’s sixth-lowest total. Defensively they were much better allowing just 40 goals to opponents.
Last season, the clubs drew nil-nil at the Amex Stadium while the reverse fixture at Turf Moor ended 1-1. Brighton’s Lewis Dunk opened the scoring in the first half but Burnley’s Johan Berg Gudmundsson cancelled out the goal in the second half.
Dyche will be without Dale Stephens and Kevin Long for the fixture. Both are injured and will not be available. Meanwhile, Matt Lowton could return to the team following self-isolation.
Brighton’s manager has five players on the injury list for the game. Striker Danny Welbeck is ruled out until September with a thigh issue. Tariq Lamptey remains on the shelf with a thigh problem. Dan Burn, Kjell Scherpen (a new signing), and Moises Caicdeo are all ruled out as well.
Brighton are unbeaten in four straight games against Burnley. The Seagulls play more attractive football and should be able to get the goal(s) needed to claim a matchday 1 win. It should be a low-scoring game between the sides.
Both matches in 2020-21 finished with under 2.5 goals and our prediction is for this match to see under 2.5 goals as well.