Brighton need to be on guard against Preston North End

Follow us on Google Discover

Brighton play Preston in a Championship clash at Amex Stadium today.

Brighton manager Chris Hughton

It is never easy to put a disappointment behind you. Brighton went heartbreakingly close to automatic promotion last season before crashing out in the playoffs to Sheffield Wednesday. After being in such a great position, to not even make the playoff final would be regarded by most as a opportunity wasted, if not a failed season. It is to the credit of Chris Hughton and his squad that they have started this season in a strong fashion.

Brighton’s Glenn Murray celebrates scoring their third goal

Currently, they are in fourth position on 21 points and are unbeaten in their last five league games. Today they play Preston North End at The Amex Stadium. On bare facts you would say that it would be a comfortable win for the Seagulls with Preston winning just one game away from home this season and sitting in 18th position on the table. However the reality is these are the types of games that trip up the favoured team on a regular basis, especially as we are coming off an international break and minds may not be completely focused on the job.

Despite their overall record this season, Preston are in a good run of form claiming seven points from their last three games and unbeaten in four games in all competitions. In terms of recent history between the two teams, the last four games have been goalless with the last Brighton victory occurring twelve years and five meetings ago courtesy of a 1-0 victory.

Preston’s Jermaine Beckford in action with Stoke’s Philipp Wollscheid

In a blow for the visitors, midfielder Aiden McGeady and Jermaine Beckford are still absent through injury, while Brighton midfielder Beram Kayal has been ruled out for a couple of months with a ankle injury. The Seagulls have only lost one of their last 16 league games at the Amex Stadium and have conceded just one goal in their last five league games. It is for this reason that Brighton will come out on top in a closely fought contest.

Brighton 2-Preston-1