Premier League matchday 8 kicks off on Friday night with a massive six-point match between Brighton and Burnley. Both clubs are out of form and in desperate need of wins this weekend prior to the international break.
Sean Dyche’s Burnley are rock bottom of the Premier League with just one point from 18 possible. Even with a game in hand, Burnley are so poor, it is unlikely they can turn their extra game into three point. Burnley have scored the joint-fewest goals in the Premier League with three.
Brighton have their head above water but not by much. Graham Potter’s team have taken five points from 21 possible and sit two points above 18th-placed West Brom. The bottom of the Premier League table is atrocious. After seven league matchdays, just seven points separate last-placed Burnley with 14th-placed West Ham.
The Seagulls took four points from six possible last season against Burnley. Although they go into the game having taken two points from their last nine on offer, they have recent Premier League history behind them. In six Premier League meetings between these clubs since 2017-18, three of the games finished in draws. Is Friday night’s game at the Amex Stadium destined for another stalemate?
Brighton vs Burnley Betting Odds
How bad have Burnley been in 2020-21? The Clarets have taken one point from 18 possible. They have an expected point figure of 6.65, which shows just how off the pace they have been. Meanwhile, Burnley’s previously solid defence has conceded 12 times. Their expected goals allowed total is 6.41. Both expected points and expected goals allowed compared to the actual figures show just how poor the team have been to this point.
According to leading sportsbooks, Dyche is fourth-favourite to be the next manager sacked in the Premier League. He is being offered at 10/1 odds by top bookies. Burnley’s one point this season did come away from Turf Moor. That draw came against West Brom at the Hawthorns in a nil-nil draw. All three of Burnley’s goals scored have come away from home.
Brighton’s home form has been as abysmal as Burnley’s away play. The Seagulls have taken a mere one point from nine at the Amex Stadium. That draw came against West Brom in a 1-1 finish. The Seagulls are –3 in goal difference with seven goals allowed and four scored.
Last season’s fixture at the Amex Stadium finished 1-1 between Brighton and Burnley. Brighton’s Neal Maupay opened the scoring in the 51st minute but conceded a 90th-minute goal courtesy of Jeff Hendricks.
Brighton vs Burnley Team News
Potter has six players suffering from injuries at the Amex Stadium. Ali Jahanbaksh and Florin Andone are both ruled out of the game due to injury. Lewis Dunk is also ruled out of the game due to a red card suspension. He won’t return until after the November international break.
Brighton players Jose Izquierdo, Christian Walton, and Solomon March are all three doubts for the game due to their various injuries. Full-back Tariq Lamptey is recovering from a thigh issue. He is likely to make the team for Burnley’s visit.
Questions surround Brighton striker Neal Maupay, their most important attacking player. According to The Athletic, Maupay did not play in Brighton’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend after a spate with a teammate in the locker room. The row with a teammate came after Brighton’s 1-1 draw with West Brom. Potter initially stated Maupay’s dropping was due to tactics.
Dyche is without Jack Cork and Ben Mee. The duo is recovering from their respective injuries and won’t be available until later this month. Dyche could have the trio of Phillip Bardsley, Erik Pieters, and Johann Berg Gudmundsson ack in the squad.
Brighton vs Burnley Prediction
Full-time result: Draw - BET NOW
Three of the last six matches in the Premier League between Brighton and Burnley finished in draws at full-time. Two of those three draws occurred at the Amex Stadium. Last season’s game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes as Burnley got a late equaliser to claim a point. Brighton have drawn two of their seven games in the league this term.
Correct score: 1-1 - BET NOW
Brighton’s two draws in the Premier League this season finished 1-1. It is a scoreline that could be repeated this weekend with Burnley hit the south coast. Last season’s game at the Amex Stadium finished 1-1. With both teams struggling to score goals, they should nullify each other for 90 minutes on Friday night. The pressure is high on both teams especially with this being a six-point match. Neither side will want to lose to the other and do just enough to get a score draw.
Under 2.5 goals scored - BET NOW
Four of the last six league games between Brighton and Burnley finished with under 2.5 goals scored. Neither team are very good going forward, so expect them to struggle to get goals. Potter’s decision over Maupay could play a huge part in the game on Friday night. The Frenchman is a complex individual when it comes to English football. He can be combustible but that is part of what makes him so good.
Maupay leads Brighton in goals with four. He has a 3.17 shots per 90 minutes figure and 4.35 expected goals number. If Brighton want to stay up this season, they need Maupay in the team every week. With Burnley’s defensive record being so poor this season, 12 goals conceded, Maupay could take advantage of the Clarets.
Not only are Burnley struggling on the pitch, but issues at boardroom level continue appear. The club could be taken over by a new Egyptian owner, according to reports in the media on Wednesday. The current board’s reluctance to invest in recent transfer windows has shown on the pitch this season.
Brighton are the better team, but are in poor form just as Burnley are. These teams should combine for a Friday night draw in a dull game on the south coast.
