The Premier League returns to action this Boxing Day as Brighton & Hove Albion play hosts to Brentford at the AMEX this Sunday in the latest kick off of the day in the Premier League as the two clubs meet for the second time in the competition’s history.
Both sides took a long time to get into the Premier League after years of battling it out in the Championship and it’s fair to say that this has been a match in the making for a number of years now, as the Bees have met with Brighton more times than they ever have of any other club in the Premier League.
Back in contention. 🔋⚡️ pic.twitter.com/tWzKhKlzCB— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) December 22, 2021
Back in contention. 🔋⚡️ pic.twitter.com/tWzKhKlzCB
Graham Potter's men would win the first meeting between the two this season when Leandro Trossard scored the winner in the dying embers of the game. It delivered Brentford's first defeat in Premier League history and at the time, continued Brighton's astonishing start to the season.
Both have since gone in different directions since that September clash, with the two now being sat right next to each other in the table on 20 points, with the Bees’ superior goal difference being the only difference in allowing them to sit in 12th and the Seagulls in 13th.
Now, following Brighton winning four of the first league games of the season, they have started to gradually even out their record and currently sit with a more realistic four wins, four defeats, and eight draws.
And, once again, their problems have been scoring goals with the club once again having one of the league’s highest xG records but converting very little.
In fact, Potter's men have an alarming 14 goals scored in the league, which is seven behind that of Brentford's. At the same time, it's the same as Burnley in the relegation zone, and less than Newcastle United who also sit inside the bottom three.
Time after time, the club have relied on players like Neal Maupay to back a goal in stoppage time to seal a point or all three, such as Trossard’s impact earlier in the season against Brentford.
As for Thomas Frank’s men, it’s been a great first season in the Premier League for them and as they can break into the top 10 by 2022 if results go their way, Frank can only be satisfied with what he’s got in his first four months in the top flight.
Moreover, they've managed to score 21 and concede only 22 from 16 games and their five wins already this season makes for positive reading all around. Forebet now predicts another draw here for either side and in a game that will see under 2.5 goals.