Premier League: Can Brighton Keep De Zerbi at Falmer Stadium?

Brentford vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Roberto de Zerbi and his Seagulls soar towards Gtech Community Stadium to have a crack at their former Championship rivals, Brentford, for a pivotal Premier League clash.

With just 27 points in the season thus far, the Bees are salivating for points to get out of the dangers of going back to the Championship next season, but they have a tall task ahead of them, as the Seagulls have been a worthy adversary for any outfit in the Premier League this campaign.

After their 2-1 loss at Anfield, Roberto de Zerbi’s future with Brighton have become a hot topic around the top flight. “I have not decided yet what my future is,” De Zerbi told Sky. But maybe the sense of urgency in the Brighton camp can start a fire and propel them to a tail-end run to garner back-to-back European contention.

Talking Points

Roberto de Zerbi’s potential departure intensifies

After spirited efforts in the Europa League and FA Cup, Seagulls manager Roberto de Zerbi reported that he has not yet decided on his future with Brighton.

With Jurgen Klopp’s impending departure from Liverpool, De Zerbi becomes one of the main contenders to take the job at Anfield after Xabi Alonso ruled himself out of the equation thanks to his stellar campaign with Leverkusen.

The series of events has led the Brighton manager to halt contract extension talks with his Premier League outfit and instead want to focus on the remaining years of his current contract.

“My focus is on Brighton this season and the next season but before we start the next season I would like to speak and listen to the plan for the team – it is a serious thing. I want to know the target and what we are playing for. I have already spoken to Tony [Bloom, the owner] and in the future we will talk again about the plan for next season and then we will find a solution but both the club and myself need to be happy.” De Zerbi stated.

His Seagulls were at the away dugout at Anfield during their most recent Premier League clash, where they fell to the mighty Reds 2-1. This loss places them in ninth place in the league table, but De Zerbi and his men can still earn European contention by garnering strong Premier League 2024 results in their last 10 games of the season.

Brentford need a win to get out of relegation talks

Brentford have yet to tally a win since their 0-2 victory over Wolverhampton on February 10 at Molineux Stadium.

Because of this, the Bees are still stuck at 15^th place in the Premier League standings and are still very much in danger of being relegated when the season comes to an end.

To their credit, they managed to garner pivotal draws against Chelsea and Manchester United last month, making them just three points behind Crystal Palace. At this stage in the season, every point counts not just for the teams fighting for the title but for outfits trying to stay in the top flight to boot.

The Bees looked like a spirited club during their 1-1 draw against Manchester United during their most recent top-flight bout, and they even could’ve garnered a convincing lead if it weren’t for the heroics of Andre Onana between the sticks.

It may not be the three points Brentford hoped to garner, but stealing a point from a club of Manchester United’s calibre should be good for them in the long run—maybe not much in the standings, but maybe in morale.

The Bees have proved that they can go toe to toe against the elite clubs in the English top flight, and SBOTOP football fans should expect another spirited run from relegation candidates Brentford in their pivotal match against the Seagulls.

History

Since 2006, Brentford and Brighton have faced each other 20 times, mostly in the Championship. And in those games, the Seagulls have come out as the victors nine times, while the Beas have garnered six wins and were able to tally five draws as well.

In their last matchup, Brighton held off the visiting Brentford with a 2-1 score line. Despite Mbeumo scoring the opener for the Bees, Pascal Groß immediately scored the equaliser just after a few minutes, while Hinshelwood scored a stunner in the second half to secure the Brighton victory.

Betting Tip

The Premier League 2024 betting odds have visiting Brighton as the underdogs at 2.48, but hosts Brentford don’t have much of an edge as they’re priced closely at 2.43.

Personally, I think that Brighton as the underdogs poses value, not just because of where they are in the standings but also in terms of their recent form.

While the Bees held their own against Manchester United, the Seagulls had a very competitive showing against league leaders Liverpool in a hostile Anfield.

Also, Brentford have yet to tally a win in almost two months, and I just don’t see Brighton as the team to break that curse.

Another offer to keep an eye on is their total goals under 3.00 at 2.0. When facing each other, these clubs have only produced aggregates with more than three goals three times in their last 10, so having under 3.00 goals at 2.00 as the middle line provides so much value and excitement for punters to consider. 

 

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