Preview - Brighton & Hove Albion vs Burnley 10 February 19

[Harry85]

Match Day 26
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Burnley
Sunday, February 9th 2019
01:30am (GMT+8 Timing)
Stadium: American Express Stadium

Brighton & Hove Albion: 
Last five matches form: D L L L D
Average goals per match: 1.08
Average goals against per match: 1.44
Top Scorer: Glenn Murray (10)

Burnley:
Last five matches form: W W D D D
Average goals per match: 1.04
Average goals against per match: 1.84
Top Scorer: Ashley Barnes (6)


We have an interesting clash down on the south coast on Match Day 26 in the Premier League. Hosts Brighton are aiming to avoid being sucked into the relegation battle again this season, whilst visitors Burnley are very much trying to escape the brink of the Premier League precipice.


Burnley are fourth bottom at present, but a win in this one would see them move level on points with their hosts who currently sit in 13th position.


Brighton look to have a fully fit squad from which to select. Burnley must do without Aaron Lennon and Jonathan Walters.


Brighton head into this game having been involved in a midweek FA Cup replay which went to extra time at West Brom, which - despite a number of changes to the side can't really be viewed as a positive. They have however been largely excellent again at home this season though, in losing only three of 12.


Burnley are on their best run of the season at present having now gone unbeaten in their past six, including draws away at both Watford and impressively Manchester United. A last minute leveller at home to Southampton last time out keeps the positivity rolling and they will likely make this tough for their hosts.


Burnley have only won twice on the road all season, so to pick up all three points may prove a tall order. We do see them doing enough to claim a point though.


Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 1 - 1 Burnley

[Harry85]

Half time:  0 - 1
Full time: 1 - 3
Shots:  16 - 9
Shots on target: 6 - 5
Corner Kicks: 9 - 3
Possession: 68% - 32%

Just the one booking for each side in this one, with referee Stuart Attwell taking the names of Mathew Ryan of Brighton and Ashley Westwood of Burnley.

Manchester City's demolition of Chelsea takes some topping, but possibly the next biggest standout result on Match Day 26 in the Premier League came at the AMEX, as Burnley showed they are firmly up for the relegation scrap with a huge win on the road which will likely now have Brighton looking a little concernedly over their shoulders.

The opener came in the 26th minute. Lewis Dunk losing his footing as Ashley Barnes played a ball forward from the left-hand side and allowing Chris Wood to race clean through on goal. Wood finishing emphatically high up the middle from around 14 yards. 0-1 at the break.

The visitors then made it two in the 61st minute. Dwight McNeil riding a challenge to burst through midfield and play in Wood in the left of the area. The big frontman finishing low into the bottom right - Mathew Ryan getting something on it but being unable to keep it out.

Then in the 74th minute it really was all over. Ashley Barnes beating the offside trap on the halfway line and racing through on goal. Ryan coming out to meet him but bringing him down for a clear penalty. Barnes stepping up to fire into the bottom left.

Brighton grabbed a goal back two minutes later. Shane Duffy getting on the end of a long free kick into the area to nod into the bottom right from around six yards out on the left-hand side. That's as good as it got for the home side though. 1-3 final score.

Burnley move all the way up to 15th and are now three points clear of the relegation zone. Brighton drop to 14th and are only above Burnley on goal difference.