Brentford 0-0 Brighton
Brentford 0-0 Brighton
Brentford 0-0 Brighton
Here come the teams!
Lovely day for it. The sun is beaming down in west London.
These two clubs have met in each of the top four divisions of English football since 1999 – they played in League One as recently as 2011.
Two success stories on show here...
How they shape up...
Jones Knows: Back a Bees win
Sky Sports' betting expert Lewis Jones:
"It's the football betting guru derby. My kind of derby.
"Brighton owner Tony Bloom and Brentford head honcho Matthew Benham both made their fortunes beating the betting markets using ahead-of-their-time models and have now built two of the best-run football empires in the world.
"Brighton and Bloom usually get major decisions right but their season is petering out under Fabian Hurzeler, who must be coming under pressure based on the high expectations at the club. An FA Cup quarter-final exit and four games without a win in the Premier League, meaning hopes of European football next season are now slim to none, is shining a bit of a spotlight on the manager.
"The 2-2 with Leicester was another lacklustre performance at home - meaning they will end the season having not beaten Ipswich, Southampton or Leicester at the Amex. Playing away should help them here but Brentford, as competitive and tough to beat as they've ever been under Thomas Frank, look the bet at 6/4 with Sky Bet."
SCORE PREDICTION: 3-1 | JONES KNOWS' BEST BET: Brentford to beat Brighton (6/4 with Sky Bet)
Premier League Predictions, odds and best bets: More away day woe for cold Chelsea, Liverpool to take step closer to Premier League title
Sky Sports
Are Brighton still in Euro hunt?
Sky Sports' Lewis Jones at the Gtech:
"A top-eight finish MIGHT be enough for Conference League but that's reliant on a few factors, mostly involving Manchester City or Aston Villa winning the FA Cup.
"I think Brighton internally were hoping for a bit more than that this season judged by their net spend and ambitious owner.
"It's a season in danger of petering out."
WATCH: Brighton 2-2 Leicester
This was a blow for Leicester, failing to beat Leicester City at home.
WATCH: Arsenal 1-1 Brentford
Yoane Wissa struck a leveller for Brentford at Arsenal last weekend.
Brighton's xG still trending high...
Sky Sports' Lewis Jones at the Gtech:
"For a club that put so much emphasis on the data behind performances, the Brighton hierarchy will point to the expected goals data from their last eight matches. No team in the Premier League have a higher xG per 90 than Brighton over that timeframe, coming in at 2.15 per match. It's a bulky figure and maybe suggests this team are still doing plenty right despite an iffy run."
Play Super 6!
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Over 50% of Super 6 players believe Brentford will finally pick up a home win against an out-of-form Brighton.
Two teams who could do with a win, but 300,000 Super 6 players are backing Brentford to win 2-1.
Kayode makes full Bees debut
Sky Sports' Lewis Jones at the Gtech:
"Michael Kayode, signed from Fiorentina in January, makes his first Brentford start after impressing in recent cameo appearances. He's a real livewire from full-back. Also, Yehor Yarmolyuk gets a start in midfield.
"For Brighton, Mats Wieffer makes his first start since December 21 after a frustrating season since joining in the summer. Carlos Baleba moves back into midfield with the return of Jan Paul van Hecke after suspension."
Brighton team news
Team to play Brentford: Verbruggen, Hinshelwood, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan, Baleba, Wieffer, Minteh, O'Riley, Joao Pedro, Welbeck
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Brentford team news
Team to play Brighton: Flekken, Kayode, Van Den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Norgaard, Yarmoliuk, Damsgaard, Schade, Mbeumo, Wissa
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Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones at the Gtech:
"Always a pleasure to be at this unique, atmospheric ground.
"This place is usually a place to watch the home side win football matches. The connection between the club and fans is one of the best in the Premier League.
"However, Brentford haven’t won at home since December. The fixture list has been tough in fairness and there’s obviously no crisis talks but the home fans will want something to cheer this afternoon. Should be a fun fixture with Brighton in town."
Mitoma and Van Hecke to return vs Brentford
Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma will be available to face Brentford, while Jan Paul van Hecke also returns following his suspension.
Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler there was a chance that Ferdi Kadioglu and James Milner could be available before the end of the season.
"A few players [Igor, Tariq Lamptey, Joel Veltman] will be stepping up their rehab next week, so the message is positive," he said.
"We are positive that they will be back with the squad so they can help us on the pitch."
Hickey edges closer to return for Brentford
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has revealed Aaron Hickey is close to a comeback after a 20-month injury absence.
Scotland full-back Hickey has been sidelined since August 2023 due to a hamstring injury which required two operations.
The 22-year-old, who recently signed a new three-year contract, has got some B-team games under his belt and could return before the end of the season.
Frank was for once able to give a fitness update ahead of Saturday's visit of Brighton.
Brazilian striker Igor Thiago, who missed the first three months of the season with a knee injury and has been out since December with a joint infection, is also nearly back in contention.
Meanwhile, Rico Henry, Mathias Jensen and Gustavo Nunes got run-outs for the B team in a 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on Monday.
"Everyone is available that was available last week," said Frank at his pre-match press conference.
"A few players got some valuable minutes playing on Monday - Rico, Mathias and Gustavo, among others.
"Also, Igor Thiago is getting closer and Aaron Hickey is getting closer, so it all looks good."