The bottom half of the Premier League table is a dangerous place to be at any time of the season and it only takes a few bad results before relegation becomes a possibility.
That’s exactly what has happened to Brighton and Hove Albion and on Saturday they travel to Molineux to play Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Wolves are safe following their promotion last season and have been good to watch. They could event qualify for the Europa League, which would be a great achievement. Brighton have been sucked into a relegation battle with Cardiff City and need every point they can get.
The hosts suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Southampton last weekend. That result means they have won only one of their last four games in all competitions, also losing to Burnley in the Premier League and Watford in the semi-final of the FA Cup.
However, Wolves have been strong at home this season and trends show they are undefeated in their last eight matches at Molineux. Seven of those eight games have ended in victory and Wolves have defeated Manchester United (twice), Liverpool, Leicester City, West Ham United, Shrewsbury Town and Cardiff City.
There have been over 2.5 goals in six of those eight matches and Wolves have scored two or more goals in seven of them, making them an entertaining team to watch on home soil.
Brighton suffered a devastating 2-0 defeat at home to Cardiff City on Tuesday night. A win in that match would have seen them move 8 points clear of their opponents but as it stands, Brighton are now only 2 points above their relegation rivals.
To say the Seagulls are in poor form is an understatement and trends show they have lost each of their last five games in all competitions. There have been defeats against Southampton, Chelsea, Bournemouth and Cardiff in the Premier League plus a 1-0 loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final.
Away form in the Premier League has been terrible and Brighton have won one of their last eight away matches, losing six and drawing one. In fact, Brighton have won just five of their last thirty-five away games in all competitions and it is easy to see why they are in trouble at the bottom of the table.
Team news and Wolves have the luxury of every player being available for this fixture. Diogo Jots and Raul Jimenez are expected to lead the attack.
Brighton are without the suspend Anthony Knockaert who is serving the second of his three match ban. Every other player is available and Chris Hughton may need to make a few changes from the team which lost in mid-week.
Given the poor form of Brighton and the strong home performances of Wolves this season, there appears to be only one winner in this match. Expect to see a strong attacking display and 2 or more goals from the home team.