Preview: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Leeds United - prediction, team news, lineups

Both Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds United will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they lock horns in East Sussex on Saturday afternoon.

Brighton are currently ninth in the table, having picked up 17 points from their opening 12 matches, while Leeds sit 17th, collecting only 11 points from their first 12 games of the 2021-22 campaign.

Match preview

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Brighton will be delighted with their start to the 2021-22 campaign, boasting a record of four wins, five draws and three defeats from 12 matches, which has seen them collect 17 points to sit ninth in the division.

The Seagulls are without a victory in England's top flight since the middle of September, though, drawing five and losing two of their seven fixtures since the 2-1 win over Leicester City.

Graham Potter's side drew back-to-back games against Liverpool and Newcastle United before suffering a 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend, with Steven Gerrard picking up a strong result in his first game at the helm.

An improvement on last season's 16th-place finish would be very encouraging for Brighton this term, but the early indications are that they could potentially challenge for a spot inside the top half.

That said, goals have been an issue for Potter's team this term, finding the back of the net on just 12 occasions in 12 matches, with only Southampton (11), Tottenham Hotspur (11) and Norwich City (seven) netting fewer.

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Leeds looked to be on course for an impressive result at Tottenham last weekend, with Daniel James sending the Whites ahead in the latter stages of the first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, Antonio Conte's side managed to turn the game around in the second half, with Leeds suffering their fifth Premier League defeat of the campaign, which has left them in 17th spot in the table.

Marcelo Bielsa's team were so impressive on their return to the top flight last term, but it has been somewhat of a reality check this season, and they might well find themselves in a relegation battle in 2021-22.

The Whites have only lost one of their last four in the league, drawing with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City, in addition to beating Norwich City, between October 23 and November 7.

Leeds have lost eight of their last nine matches against Brighton in all competitions, though, including both Premier League matches during the 2020-21 campaign.

Team News

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Brighton will welcome Robert Sanchez back into their starting XI, with the Spanish goalkeeper available after serving a suspension against Villa, while Enock Mwepu has a chance of making the squad this weekend.

The Seagulls remain without the services of Steven Alzate and Danny Welbeck, but they are otherwise in good shape, meaning that Potter has a number of decisions to make.

Solly March and Neal Maupay could both return to the starting XI, while there might be a switch to a back four, with Tariq Lamptey and Marc Cucurella in the full-back positions.

As for Leeds, Robin Koch and Patrick Bamford remain on the sidelines through injury, but Raphinha, Rodrigo and Jamie Shackleton have all been passed fit for the match.

Luke Ayling is not yet ready to return, but Bielsa said during his press conference on Thursday that the defender is in line to feature for the club's Under-23s on Monday.

Rodrigo and Raphinha are both expected to return to the starting XI, while James and Jack Harrison should also feature in an attacking side for the visitors.

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Lamptey, Dunk, Duffy, Cucurella; Bissouma, Moder; Lallana, Trossard, March; Maupay

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Llorente, Phillips, Cooper; Raphinha, Dallas, Struijk, Klich, Harrison; Rodrigo, James

We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-2 Leeds United

This has all of the makings of a very open and entertaining game of football, and we are predicting goals on Saturday afternoon. Both sides will believe that they can hurt the other in the forward areas, but we are struggling to separate them and have had to settle on an entertaining score draw.

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