Brighton & Hove Albion – Season Preview 2019/20

07/08/19 3982

After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Brighton will be hoping for a much steadier campaign as they prepare to embark on their third consecutive season in the Premier League.

Many fans disagreed with the sacking of Chris Hughton after he managed to steer the club to safety. On the other hand, others argued that a change had to be made in order to take Brighton forward and progress in the top flight.

Graham Potter is the man tasked with taking the club to the next level, but can a manager with no previous Premier League experience step up to the challenge?

Last season

Brighton got off to decent start last season and sat around mid-table for the first half of the campaign. Their form took a turn for the worst in the second half of the season and the club managed just three wins in their last 23 matches; picking up 11 points from a possible 54 in 2019.

The club finished just two points clear of the relegation zone on 36 points and recorded the fourth lowest goal tally in the league. Glenn Murray finished the season as top scorer, with 13 league goals to his name.

Brighton reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, only to be knocked out by eventual champions Manchester City. Chris Hughton was sacked one day after the last game of the season

Next season

It will be interesting to see how new manager Graham Potter adapts to the Premier League. Having made a name for himself at Swedish club Ostersunds, the 44-year-old spent one season with Championship side Swansea City before being employed by Brighton.

Potter is known for his innovation and methodical approach and will no doubt emphasize the need for togetherness within the squad. He will enforce a completely fresh style of play on the team and his man-management skills could be key to lifting the player’s spirits.

Brighton begin their campaign with matches against Watford, West Ham and Southampton. They will need to come away from these matches with some points as they have to face Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur soon after.

After Glenn Murray, Shane Duffy was Brighton’s leading goal scorer in the league last season. When you are relying on your center-back for goals, you know there is a problem up-front. The club are in desperate need of a new striker and must also get the best out of their current players in order to compete next season.

Brighton were very fortunate not to go down last season and money must be spent in order to strengthen the squad. If the club fail to bring in two or three players with Premier League quality before the transfer window closes, you have to fear the worst for Brighton & Hove Albion.

Players in

Leandro Tossard - €20m from KRC Genk

Matt Clarke €3.9m from Portsmouth

Players out

Alexis Mac Allister – Loan to Boca Juniors

Richie Towell – Free to Salford

Ales Mateju – Loan to Brescia

Bruno – Retired

Predicted league finish

The predicted league finish for Brighton is 18th place. With the lack of activity in the transfer window and with other Premier League clubs strengthening, Brighton are one of the favorites for relegation.