Leeds United vs Brighton & Hove Albion, Premier League 2020-2021, Today Match Prediction

Leeds United vs Brighton & Hove Albion Match Prediction & Analysis

Leeds are aiming to recover from their shock defeat at the hands of League Two side Crawley in the FA Cup last weekend, a result that was arguably the biggest surprise of the season so far.

The Peacocks actually played relatively well in the first half and had they scored first would have probably gone on to win. It is this unpredictability, however, that has seen their season swing from the brilliant to the disappointing.

Currently, they are on a good run in the league, having won three of their last five matches to propel them towards the top half of the league. 

Brighton, however, have inched closer to the bottom of the table lately, having struggled to score enough goals to win matches and dropping 12 points from winning positions so far this season.

They are a good side, though will struggle against the intensity of Leeds’ style of play.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Leeds United Preview

Form Guide (all comps): LWWLL

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Could win three consecutive home league matches for first time since 2001

     Bamford has scored in last two home games

Reasons to be fearful:

     Kalvin Phillips is suspended for this match

     Shipped three goals in both of their last two games

Leeds are a side of two possibilities – they are as likely to blow away their opponents as they are to be blown away themselves.

After thrashing West Brom 5-0 in their final match of 2020, they themselves have been handed two 3-0 beatings since. Indeed, no side has drawn fewer matches this season, with Leeds either rolling out winners or losers on most occasions.

Against Brighton, they will face a side who are well-organised and with high fitness levels, but have struggled to find their way to goal often enough.

Leeds will sense a fine opportunity to press forward and get the goals their play so often deserves. As an incentive, they have the chance to win three back-to-back games at home in the league for the first time in 20 years.

Star Man – Patrick Bamford

Has scored in his last two home matches for Leeds having gone the first six matches at home without scoring.

Brighton & Hove Albion Preview

Form Guide (all comps): DLDWL

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Win in FA Cup last weekend will have boosted confidence

     Past four wins have all come in away matches

Reasons to be fearful:

     Without a league win in nine games, the longest run in the Premier League

     At 28%, they have the lowest shot conversion ratio in the league

There are worrying signs for Brighton, as they have slowly but surely slipped towards the bottom of the league table. They now sit just two points ahead of the drop.

Despite this, many feel that they still possess the quality to survive and improve as the season progresses. 

With Graham Potter as their manager, they have become a well-drilled side who are rarely dominated in matches. Even against an in-form Manchester City in midweek, they only lost by a single goal and were competitive throughout.

Brighton must quickly find a way of improving their goal creation, whether that is through the players at the club currently, or by bringing in new recruits in the January transfer market.

Star Man – Percy Tau

He made his Premier League debut against City and looked sharp, setting up a chance for Mac Allister who should have scored.