Brighton vs Wolves: Preview & Prediction
Brighton vs Wolves face off today while the EFL Cup has returned this week with its third-round action, which will unfold over two weeks. Tuesday kicks off with seven matches, followed by two more fixtures on Wednesday, including Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Amex Stadium. Both teams are vying for a spot in the fourth round.
Brighton & Hove Albion have had an impressive start to the 2024/25 season, with manager Fabian Hurzeler successfully implementing his tactics. The Seagulls remain unbeaten, climbing to sixth in the Premier League, one of only five teams yet to suffer a defeat. Their journey to the third round saw them dominate Crawley Town with a 4-0 victory, and they are coming off a goalless draw against Ipswich Town in the league.
Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a difficult start to their season under Gary O’Neil, earning just one point from four Premier League games. However, they managed to secure their place in the third round of the EFL Cup with a 2-0 win over Burnley, thanks to Goncalo Guedes’ match-winning brace.
The most recent encounter between these two sides was in the FA Cup fifth round, where Wolverhampton claimed a 1-0 win courtesy of a goal from Mario Lemina. As the two teams prepare to face off again, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at this upcoming clash.
Brighton vs Wolves Tactics
Brighton & Hove Albion
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Steele; Lamptey, Webster, Igor, Estupinan; Moder, Ayari; Peupion, Enciso, Adingra; Rutter
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sa; Lima, Santiago Bueno, Dawson, Doherty; Lemina, Doyle; Hwang, Sarabia, Bellegarde; Guedes
Key Stats
- Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers have faced each other 43 times across all competitions. The Seagulls hold the edge with 19 wins, 15 draws, and 9 losses.
- The two sides have met just once in the Carabao Cup, dating back to the 1969 third round, where Wolverhampton secured a 3-2 victory. Interestingly, this was their first-ever competitive meeting.
- Brighton & Hove Albion have kept three clean sheets in five matches across all competitions this season.
- Brighton also kept clean sheets during their last two home encounters with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
- Wolverhampton Wanderers have struggled in the 2024/25 season, managing only one win in the second round of the EFL Cup.
Player to Watch
Evan Ferguson may miss out on a spot in the starting lineup, but he’s expected to make an appearance off the bench as he works on regaining his fitness and sharpness after a recent injury. With the match potentially hanging in the balance by the time he enters in the second half, Ferguson will have a prime opportunity to make an impact.
The Republic of Ireland international is eager to reclaim his position as the first-choice striker, a role currently held by the in-form Danny Welbeck. Ferguson will need to seize this chance to impress and give Fabian Hurzeler a real selection dilemma moving forward.
Brighton vs Wolves Prediction
Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers have struggled defensively in their opening four Premier League fixtures, managing just one clean sheet in the EFL Cup second round. In contrast, Brighton & Hove Albion have been sharp in attack, easily overcoming Crawley Town in the previous round.
Despite this, the upcoming clash at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday promises to be a tightly contested encounter. With both teams expected to rotate their squads heavily, the difference in quality may be less significant. The game could go down to the wire, and Evan Ferguson, coming off the bench, might be the game-changer. A 1-0 win for Fabian Hurzeler’s side is a likely outcome, according to The Hard Tackle’s prediction.
How to Watch Brighton vs Wolves
Watch online via NaijaSport247 TV.