It may only be the sixth matchday of the Premier League season, but Brighton and West Brom are set to play in a massive six-point affair on Monday evening.
Brighton head into the weekend in 16th place with four points from 15 possible. West Brom sit one place lower than Brighton after collecting just two points from 15 possible.
Point have been hard to come by for both clubs this season and relegation is a possibility for both after five matchdays. Neither side is in good form heading into the game. Brighton are on the back of a three-match winless run.
West Brom are five-matches without a win. However, both clubs managed draws on matchday 5. The Baggies collected a bore nil-nil draw versus Burnley at home. Brighton snatched a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.
Slaven Bilic is a leader in the Premier League sack race. He could get the boot with a poor result against Brighton on Monday night. Bilic is without two key players heading into the weekend. Sam Field and Hal Robson-Kanu are both ruled out of the match. The latter is a huge loss for the team’s attack.
Brighton manager Graham Potter has a long list of players that could miss the game. Defender Lewis Dunk is one player that won’t appear. He is suspended after receiving his marching orders last weekend.
Florin Andone and Alireza Jahanbakhsh are both ruled out of action. Davy Propper has been cleared to play while new signing Danny Welbeck could make his club debut. Welbeck signed earlier this week as a free agent.
Brighton and West Brom played four times in the league and FA Cup between 2017 and 2019. The home team did not lose in that four-game span. Brighton picked up a win and draw at the Amex Stadium.
The Seagulls have just four points which is a well off their expected points figure. Their expected point figure is 8.38. West Brom are nearly on target with their expected points. They have an expected total of 1.98 with an actual total of 2.0.
Monday’s game is a must-win for both teams. The pressure will be high as the clubs around them in the table will have already played. The last two games played by Brighton and West Brom in the FA Cup both ended in draws. Matchday 6 should finish in a score draw for these sides as they fail to post a win.