Brentford vs Brighton Preview

• Draw
• Both teams to score

Brentford aiming to reignite European push

Brentford’s European aspirations remain mathematically alive, but unless the Bees can rediscover their winning touch, those hopes will fade rapidly. With just one win across their last six Premier League outings (D3, L2), momentum has stalled at a crucial juncture in the season. A battling 1-1 draw away at Arsenal last Saturday offered some encouragement and kept them in touch with the top half, but victory against 10th-placed Brighton is imperative if they are to mount a serious late charge.

Thomas Frank’s men have particularly struggled on home turf of late, going winless in eight Premier League matches at the Gtech Community Stadium since early December (D3, L5). That concerning run will be weighing heavily on fans’ minds, especially with Brentford having claimed just one win from the last six home league H2Hs against Brighton (D3, L2).

Neutrals tuning in may not be expecting a thriller either. The last two meetings between these sides ended in goalless stalemates, and if this one follows suit, it would become only the fifth fixture in Premier League history to serve up three consecutive 0-0 draws.

Brighton’s top-half ambitions slipping

Brighton are in a similar rut as their hosts, with their own European qualification hopes hanging by a thread. The Seagulls have failed to win any of their last five Premier League games (D2, L3), including a frustrating 2-2 draw at home to relegation-threatened Leicester last weekend. Head coach Fabian Hürzeler described his side’s performance as “naive”, especially after squandering a lead and allowing the Foxes back into the contest.

That result continued a worrying trend for Brighton, who have now conceded multiple goals in four successive league matches – their worst such run since March 2022. Defensive frailties have become a defining characteristic of their recent performances, and those issues are particularly pronounced on the road. Brighton have conceded an average of 2.75 goals across their last four Premier League away games (W1, D1, L2), shipping 11 in total during that stretch.

Despite these setbacks, Brighton remain within touching distance of the top half, and a return to winning ways here could inject some much-needed confidence into their run-in. However, another slip-up may signal the end of their European dream for another season.

Tactics and key battles

Both teams will be wary of recent defensive lapses, which could shape the tempo and intent of this fixture. Brentford have tended to be more conservative in possession in recent weeks, while Brighton’s proactive style under Hürzeler can leave them exposed at the back. The midfield battle could prove pivotal, with Brentford’s Christian Nørgaard and Brighton’s Billy Gilmour tasked with dictating the tempo and protecting their respective backlines.

The Bees may look to exploit Brighton’s high defensive line with pace in wide areas, particularly through Bryan Mbeumo, whose return to form could not be more timely. For the visitors, João Pedro will likely be their main attacking outlet, especially from set-pieces and penalties.

Players to watch

Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)

The Cameroonian forward remains a key attacking figure for Brentford.

He was the last player to score against Brighton in this fixture and has a knack for scoring crucial goals, with four of his last five Premier League strikes coming between the 60th and 70th minute.

João Pedro (Brighton)

The Brazilian forward netted a brace of penalties against Leicester to take his league tally to ten.

Remarkably, eight of his nine scoring appearances this term have seen both teams find the net, underlining his ability to deliver in high-scoring encounters.

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Brentford v Brighton, 2024/25 | Premier League