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EPL Betting Preview: Brighton vs Liverpool

October 8, 2023



Liverpool travel to Brighton on Sunday afternoon (local time) as both sides return to Premier League action following midweek Europa League exertions.

Jurgen Klopp's side will be aiming to claim their first win over Brighton since March 2022. The Reds failed to win any of their three matches with the Seagulls last term, including a 2-1 defeat at the Amex Stadium in the FA Cup fourth-round.

Roberto De Zerbi made his Brighton debut in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool at Anfield last October. Whether the Italian can maintain his strong record against Jurgen Klopp - it's yet to be seen, but Brighton surely need to stabilize their defending.

Brighton Betting Preview (+193 at MyBookie) 

The Seagulls will hope to bounce back from their unprecedented 6-1 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa in their last top-flight match, having never before conceded that many times in a Premier League outing.

Brighton avoided another defeat in Europe when they earned a 2-2 draw against Olympique Marseille at the Stade Vélodrome on Thursday night.

Roberto De Zerbi's side were challenged to overturn a two-goal deficit at the break and they did it - second-half goals from Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro were key for the English side. 

The Brazilian forward was introduced midway through the second half to score his third goal in the Europa League this season, as his late penalty rescued a crucial point for Brighton in order to keep their European dream alive, with the Seagulls set to face Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam in their next two Europa League matches.

This was a much-needed second-half reaction as Brighton suffered a horrific 6-1 defeat at Villa Park last weekend and they were also far from impressive in the first half against Marseille.

Solly March, whose brace inspired Brighton's 3-0 home win over Liverpool last season, will hope to retain his starting spot on the wing on Sunday.

Adam Lallana and fellow veteran James Milner are both injured and the pair won't be able to face their ex-club on Sunday. In addition to long-term absentees Jakub Moder and Julio Enciso, Ecuadorian international Pervis Estupiñán is also injured so Tariq Lamptey is expected to deputize at left-back. 

Simon Adingra could get another start as the Ivory Coast winger started in Brighton's wins over Manchester United and Bournemouth last month. He was brought on as a second-half substitute against Aston Villa and Marseille and he also remained an unused substitute in the League Cup clash at Chelsea.

Evan Ferguson is yet to score since he bagged a hat-trick against Newcastle United last month. Still, the Republic of Ireland international could get the nod over Danny Welbeck, who started at Marseille on Thursday.

England teenager Jack Hinshelwood was a surprise starter for Brighton last weekend. The 18-year-old midfielder made his first start against Aston Villa, but may have to settle for a place on the bench with Pascal Gross back in contention.

Liverpool Betting Preview (+120 at MyBookie) 

The Reds travel to the South Coast in high spirits despite their dramatic loss at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. Jurgen Klopp's men are revitalized and they look coherent as a unit.

Prior to the Spurs defeat, The Reds were on a seven-game winning streak in all competitions. Moreover, they were unbeaten in 17 Premier League games (winning 12 of them), stretching to last season, and Jurgen Klopp's men have the confidence and ability to avoid another setback.

The Reds already returned to winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 win over Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at Anfield in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Jurgen Klopp fielded a strong starting side, with Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota all in the front three.

Trent Alexander-Arnold made his first start since recovering from a hamstring injury, while backup goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher, who normally starts the Cup games, picked up a knock so Alisson was also involved.

Liverpool academy graduate Jarell Quansah enjoyed another start alongside Ibrahima Konate at centre-back.

Elsewhere, Andy Robertson, Joel Matip and captain Virgil van Dijk were all unused substitutes in midweek and we expect them to start at the Amex Stadium on Sunday. After a sound defensive display throughout, Matip was unfortunate to score a last-gasp own goal but the experienced defender was backed by everyone and should not be affected by the situation. 

Dominik Szoboszalai is arguably one of the Premier League standout performers this season and the Hungarian playmaker hints to be one of Europe's great players. He instantly adapted to the physical nature and high intensity of Premier League football.  

Having scored just one goal in his last seven matches against Brighton across all competitions, Mohamed Salah will be keen to improve his tally on Sunday. The Egyptian still boasts four assists against them in the period. Salah has now been directly involved in seven goals in as many league appearances this season (three goals, four assists) and he had either scored or assisted in all games prior to the 2-1 loss at Tottenham last weekend.

Curtis Jones will serve a three-game suspension after an appeal to overturn the red card he received at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday was unsuccessful. The 22-year-old midfielder will now not be eligible for Liverpool’s encounters with Brighton, Everton and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this month.

With Curtis Jones suspended, it remains to be seen who will start along with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister in the middle of the park.

Moreover, Diogo Jota is also suspended for the trip to the south coast as the Portuguese forward has also been sent off against Spurs.

Ryan Gravenberch struck his first Liverpool goal against Union SG on Thursday night and the Dutch midfielder will hope to get his first league start on Sunday. Gravenberch has either scored or assisted in all of his appearances in the Europa League/League Cup games, but he didn't get much playing minutes in Premier League games.

Amid initial fears of a bad injury, it was revealed that Cody Gakpo had not suffered a serious knee injury and would likely be ready after the October international break. The Netherlands star went down injured in first-half stoppage time, moments after scoring Liverpool's equalizer against Tottenham on Saturday, and his absence is another blow.

Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara are also injured for Liverpool.

Possible Starting Lineups of Brighton and Liverpool

Brighton: Jason Steele - Joel Veltman, Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk, Tariq Lamptey - Billy Gilmour, Pascal Gross - Solly March, Joao Pedro, Simon Adingra - Evan Ferguson. (4-2-3-1)

Liverpool: Alisson - Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson - Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister - Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz. (4-3-3)

Spooky Express Betting Prediction 

With just one win in their last five matches in all competitions, Brighton have conceded 13 goals in the period. Furthermore, Roberto De Zerbi's men are yet to keep a clean sheet this season and they must brace themselves for a busy afternoon against a potent Liverpool side. 

All seven of Brighton's Premier League games have gone over 3.5 goals this season. However, we won't be surprised to see a slightly different approach by Liverpool here. Jurgen Klopp could be more pragmatic ahead of the international break and considering the number of red cards shown to his players this season.

Spooky Express Free Play: Liverpool +120 at MyBookie for 5/10 Units