Brighton vs Sheffield Utd prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-11-11 14:00.
Brighton & Hove Albion have just completed a UEFA Europa League double over Ajax, winning 2-0 in midweek, but their Premier League (PL) form isn’t keeping pace with their continental exploits as they’re without a league victory since late September (D3, L2). Head coach Roberto De Zerbi says he’s “very worried” as injuries pile up, adding to the challenge of maintaining a solid top-ten position, let alone replicating 2022/23’s sixth-placed finish.
As they come to terms with battling on all fronts and the impact that has on their squad, the Seagulls remain a potent threat however, as they’ve scored in 24 of their last 25 competitive fixtures and are unbeaten across their last four home PL outings (W2, D2). Yet they haven’t defeated Sheffield United in any of their last six meetings (D2, L4) and haven’t won a home H2H since 1987!
That could give the visitors another lift after they claimed their first win of the season courtesy of Oliver Norwood’s injury-time penalty against Wolverhampton Wanderers (W 2-1). “It's time for cool heads,” said manager Paul Heckingbottom, who retains the backing of the club and fans despite the team coming into the round sitting bottom of the table (W1, D1, L9).
The Blades are now looking to stop a run of five straight away defeats this term, all of them while conceding at least twice. One goal on each occasion was enough for a haul of four points (W1, D1) in both previous PL H2Hs at the Amex, so if the South Yorkshire outfit can keep it tight at the back, they may sense a chance of extending their good record at Brighton.
Players to watch: Evan Ferguson has netted four times in Brighton’s last four home league fixtures, twice making it 1-0 between the 25th and 30th minutes. Norwood was a Brighton player when Heckingbottom visited with Barnsley in 2016 (Brighton 2-0 Barnsley) and each of his last three goals for Sheffield United have arrived after the hour mark.
Hot streak: Brighton have scored and conceded in each of their first 11 PL games this season – no side has done so in their first 12 English top-flight matches since Liverpool in 1966/67.