MX23RW : Thursday, December 24 18:19:00| >> :60:821:821:

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

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Premier League clash between Brighton & Hove Albion and Sheffield United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Sheffield United square off against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon still looking for their first Premier League victory of the season.

Meanwhile, the Seagulls head into the contest at the Amex Stadium sitting just two points above the relegation zone after four matches without a win.


Match preview

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder pictured on November 22, 2020© Reuters

There have been times this season when Sheffield United have performed with the same intensity which kept them in contention for the top six throughout the 2019-20 campaign.

However, losing 12 times in 13 games, with the latest setback coming against Manchester United on Thursday night, means that only results will keep Chris Wilder in a job at Bramall Lane.

While there were positives to take from the performance during the latest 3-2 reverse, the defeat has left the Blades nine points adrift of safety with an ever-worsening goal difference.

There is no doubt that injuries have hindered Sheffield United, including one to Sander Berge at a time when they held a 1-0 advantage over Man United earlier this week.

Nevertheless, it cannot be used as the main excuse for the club's recent demise, and Wilder may have to avoid defeat on Sunday to stop talk of a potential dismissal from his hometown club.

Although Brighton currently sit outside of the drop zone, Graham Potter will acknowledge that he also requires an improved set of results to remain in the Seagulls hotseat.

Potter has helped attracted some notable names to the Amex Stadium, but Brighton remain with just two wins from their 13 top-flight fixtures this season.

The goalless draw recorded at Fulham on Wednesday evening was arguably perceived to be a positive result given that it kept the Cottagers behind them in the standings.

That said, being happy with such scorelines is not the long-term target for a club which wants to keep evolving, something which heaps the pressure on Potter ahead of a game which Brighton realistically need to be winning to retain hope of a mid-table finish.

Brighton & Hove Albion Premier League form: DWDLLD

Sheffield United Premier League form: LLLLLL



Team News

Premier League manager Graham Potter pictured in November 2020© Reuters

Despite the extra day of recovery, Potter may still decide to make changes to his Brighton XI.

Pascal Gross could be recalled in place of Adam Lallana, while Neal Maupay may get the nod over Danny Welbeck.

Having kept a clean sheet against Fulham, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez should remain ahead of Mat Ryan between the sticks.

Sheffield United will be forced into at least one change after Berge suffered a hamstring injury earlier this week.

Max Lowe, John Lundstram and Lys Mousset are all in contention for a start given the short turnaround of games.

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; White, Dunk, Webster; Lamptey, Bissouma, Alzate, March; Connolly, Gross, Maupay

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Basham, Egan, Robinson; Baldock, Lundstram, Ampadu, Fleck, Lowe; McGoldrick, Mousset


SM words green background

We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Sheffield United

If United are to have any chance of avoiding relegation, these are the kind of games that they need to be winning. However, despite Brighton also being out of form, we expect the home side to grind out a result in a tense affair on the South Coast.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data



Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:


ID:427012:cQx

How you voted: Brighton vs Sheff Utd

Brighton & Hove Albion
65.5%
Draw
18.5%
Sheffield United
16.0%
119
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Eric Dier warms up for Spurs on July 2, 2020
Read Next:
Tottenham's Eric Dier: 'Difficult to accept Brighton's goal'
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1494136191731
2Leicester CityLeicester149052617927
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd138232821726
4Everton148242519626
5Chelsea1474329141525
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1474325141125
7Southampton147342519624
8Manchester CityMan City136521912723
9Aston Villa1271424131122
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham146352119221
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves146261419-520
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle135351722-518
13Crystal Palace145361925-618
14Leeds UnitedLeeds145272430-617
15Arsenal144281218-614
16Burnley13346819-1113
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton142661622-612
18Fulham142481323-1010
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom141491029-197
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd140212825-172

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!