Four factors boosting Brighton’s Premier League title hopes
Brighton have reasons to be serious Premier League title contenders, an analysis argues, after beating league leaders Manchester City. That followed a good performance against Liverpool that ended in a 2-0 defeat, and a League Cup exit to City on penalties despite leading twice.
An analysis argues that Brighton have reasons to be serious contenders for the Premier League title after beating league leaders Manchester City. That came after a good performance against Liverpool ended in a 2-0 defeat, and an exit from the League Cup against City on penalties despite leading twice. The win at City’s ground was a landmark for a team that have never finished a season in the top five.
Among the factors that could work in Brighton’s favour is playing fewer matches in the Conference League, against less formidable opposition, after missing out on qualification for the Europa League at the end of last season. Their fixture list also gives them a spell without facing any of the other teams in the top five before the return match against City in January. They will not face Chelsea again until April, while their final two matches of the season are against Liverpool and Arsenal.
Brighton top the league’s scoring charts, with goals shared among many players: 16 players have scored in all competitions, including 11 in the league. The analysis notes that the team have made their strong start despite missing attacking players from last season. Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma have yet to play in the league this season, while the source says Danny Welbeck moved to Chelsea. Minteh’s recovery and the possibility of Mitoma returning next month could provide further attacking options.
Defensively, Brighton have conceded four goals against Chelsea and three more across their other matches. They kept a clean sheet against City, their sixth this season, and have conceded just once at home. But the analysis raises questions about whether players such as Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic and 21-year-old midfielder Chema Andrés can sustain the same level throughout the season, as well as about experienced players such as Pascal Gross and Lewis Dunk. It argues that the squad’s depth and available alternatives work in the team’s favour, with manager Fabian Hürzeler’s choices also important.
Brighton are five points ahead of the team in sixth and seven ahead of the team in seventh, giving them a strong chance of competing for Champions League qualification. However, the team’s record includes spells without a win, and the title race could also be affected by other teams’ results. The analysis concludes that Brighton’s chances depend on sustaining their strong start and maintaining their level through the end of the season.