Brighton vs Aston Villa prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2024-05-04 13:00.
[p]Brightonâs season is tailing off somewhat, which is hardly surprising given itâs been their first to include a draining European campaign, so theyâll want to finish strongly and snap a run of six Premier League games without a win (D2, L4). While there will almost certainly be no continental football at the Amex next term, finding some form again would give them a chance of a third consecutive top-half finish.[/p]
[p]Manager Roberto De Zerbi has challenged his players to keep playing with soul, honour and pride but consecutive heavy home league defeats âto nilâ against Manchester City and Arsenal do not bode well for a good finish to the season. Worryingly, the goals have dried up for the Seagulls at home, averaging just one per game across their last six in the league here (W2, D2, L2), while the only goal they scored anywhere in the whole of April was an own goal courtesy of a goalkeeping howler against Burnley.[/p]
[p]Thursday evening was a bittersweet one for Aston Villa, as they were unexpectedly beaten 4-2 by Olympiacos in the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final first leg but their hopes of Champions League qualification were boosted when Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-0. With the gap to Spurs (who have a game in hand) now seven points, theyâre on course for a top-four finish.[/p]
[p]A sixth consecutive H2H win would almost kill off Tottenhamâs hopes and as the Villans havenât lost in Brighton since December 1980 (W4, D4), they should travel with confidence despite that midweek setback. Only reigning champions Man City have beaten Unai Emeryâs side on the road since Manchester United did so on Boxing Day (W4, D2) so there are positives for them away from home.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Brightonâs JoĂŁo Pedro has struggled since returning from injury, but now would be a good time to add to his eight Premier League goals this season, six of which came after the 55th minute. Moussa Diaby has netted between the 50th and 60th minute in two of Villaâs last three fixtures, while four of his last five goals arrived after half-time.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Villa have kept a first-half clean sheet in six of their last eight away league fixtures (HT: W4, D2, L2).[/p]