Preview: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Ipswich Town – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Brighton & Hove Albion Welcome, newly promoted Ipswich Town to the Amex Stadium for a Premier League match on Saturday afternoon.

The two teams meet for the first time since February 2017, when they drew 1-1 in the South Coast Championship.

Game Preview

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Brighton are one of the outstanding teams of the new Premier League season and have picked up seven out of a possible nine points since the arrival of the 31-year-old head coach. Fabian Hurzeler.

The Seagulls beat Everton and Manchester United in their first two top-flight games before comfortably beating League Two Crawley Town 4-0 in the EFL Cup. However, their perfect start to the season ended at the Emirates Stadium, where they were held to a 1-1 draw with ten-man Arsenal two weeks ago.

After Kai Havertz had given Arsenal the lead in the first half, Declan Rice received the second yellow card just a few minutes after the break after an altercation with Joel Veltman. Brighton dominated proceedings and secured a point thanks to a close-range goal from Joao Pedro.

Hurzeler was “a little disappointed” to leave north London with just one point, but ultimately the German was “happy” with the draw against a team of Arsenal's quality. His Seagulls are currently third in the Premier League table. Only the top two teams Manchester City and Liverpool (nine) have so far picked up more points than the Seagulls.

Brighton have reason to be optimistic of success on Saturday, having lost just four of their last 21 home games in all competitions over the past 12 months. Of their last 13 Premier League games at the Amex against newly promoted sides, they have lost just one: a 1-0 defeat to Fulham in February 2023.

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Ipswich are one of six Premier League teams (including newly promoted Leicester City and Southampton) who are still without a first win in the Premier League after three games this season.

The Tractor Boys began their first season in the top flight for 22 years with consecutive defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City before losing on penalties to League Two AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup. However, they picked up their first league point before the international break with a 1-1 draw with Fulham.

New signing in summer Liam Delap scored an excellent long-range goal in the first 15 minutes, but Adama TraoreAfter the Cottagers equalised in the 32nd minute, Ipswich ultimately had to settle for sharing the spoils at Portman Road.

Head Coach Kieran McKennawho was in talks with the Brighton job in the summer, believes his Ipswich team are now “adapting to the level” and “continuously improving”. A number of new signings have also been integrated into his first-team plans.

Next up for Ipswich are back-to-back away games against Brighton and Southampton. The team travel to the Amex having won two of their last four games at the Seagulls, including their last away game in the top division in January 1983 (2-0).

Brighton & Hove Albion Premier League form:

Brighton & Hove Albion form (all competitions):

Ipswich Town Premier League form:

Ipswich Town form (all competitions):

Team News

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Brighton's James Milner According to Hurzeler, he has to take an indefinite break due to a thigh injury, while the summer newcomer Matt O’Riley remains out after undergoing ankle surgery earlier this month.

Solly March has taken part in full training and Hurzeler has said he is “close” to making his long-awaited comeback, but the winger will at best be fit enough to sit on the bench this weekend while Mats Wieffer, Ferdi Kadioglu And Brajan Gruda These are all just minor doubts and will be examined before kick-off.

The attacking duo Joao Pedro and Julio Encisowho played for Brazil and Paraguay respectively at 1.30am UK time on Wednesday, are also being assessed after returning late from South America. Both players are expected to return to training on Friday.

As for Ipswich, Omari Hutchinson has resumed training and is available for Saturday after withdrawing from the England U21 squad during the international break due to a thigh injury.

The Tractor Boys have received another quadruple injury backup as McKenna confirmed that Wes Burns, Nathan Broadhead (both thigh muscles), George Hirst (knee) and Harry Clarke (Achilles tendon) all participated in the training after staying in the treatment room.

New signing on the deadline Jack Clarke is in the running to make his debut for Ipswich on either flank, while other new signings Sammie Szmodics, Ogbene's appeal and Delap hope to keep their places in the starting eleven.

Possible starting line-up for Brighton & Hove Albion:
Confidence; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Hinshelwood; Baleba, Ayari; Adingra, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck

Possible starting eleven for Ipswich Town:
Muric; Tuanzebe, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Phillips; Clarke, Szmodics, Hutchinson; Delap

We think: Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 Ipswich Town

Both Brighton and Ipswich will look to play attacking and push forward at every opportunity, so Saturday could be a thrilling contest.

However, the Seagulls are considered favorites in front of their own fans and should have no problems scoring more goals than their opponents, even if they are missing some of their regular players due to fitness problems.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

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