Brighton has three games left this season. The first of these is a trip to the Midlands to face Wolves in a big game for Fabian Hurzeler’s team. The Seagulls lie in 10th, a point behind Bournemouth in 8th. With European football possibly on offer for teams in 8th and 9th, Brighton need three points to give them the best possible chance of returning to European football next season. Here is our Brighton predicted lineup as they take on Vitor Pereira’s side at Molineux.
Brighton Predicted Lineup vs Wolves for Premier League Clash
How Brighton Have Lined Up Recently
Bart Verbruggen continues to be the number one keeper. Despite Tariq Lamptey and Joel Veltman being part of the matchday squad last week, Hurzeler opted to stick with midfielder Mats Wieffer at right back. Jan Paul van Hecke and Lewis Dunk were paired at centre back, with Pervis Estupinan carrying on at left back.
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Carlos Baleba returned to midfield against Newcastle United after starring at centre back the week before against West Ham United. He was partnered by Jack Hinshelwood. Matt O’Riley played in front of the midfield pivot in the attacking role. This was his fifth consecutive start for Brighton, his longest streak since joining from Celtic in the summer.
Yankuba Minteh not only started but also scored against his former side. Kaoru Mitoma was missing from the matchday squad, which meant Simon Adingra started on the left. Danny Welbeck continued to lead the line. German Brajan Gruda was the only attacking sub on the bench last week.
Brighton Recent Form & Tactics
After failing to win their last six before West Ham, Brighton almost made it two in two. Minteh put the hosts ahead in the first half with a well-taken effort. Newcastle controlled large parts of the second half, and eventually levelled the score through Alexander Isak, who converted from the spot.
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Hurzeler carried on with the 4-2-3-1 formation. This has not been as effective in recent weeks due to fatigue in the players due to the intensity he orders from them, and injuries which have caused players to be shifted out of position, and regularly changing 11’s prevents consistency in the team.
Their run without a clean sheet carries on, but the 1-1 draw was the first time Brighton have not conceded two or more goals in a game since the 0-0 FA Cup draw with Nottingham Forest at the end of March.
Brighton Injuries and Absentees to Consider
Hurzeler confirmed that Solly March will miss the rest of the season after a small operation on his knee. The English winger started his first game since 2023 against West Ham, and was substituted 62 minutes in. He missed last week’s tie against Newcastle.
The German did have some more positive news on Mitoma, Georginio Rutter and James Milner. He said: “He [Mitoma] trained with the team, so he will be an option for tomorrow. Georgie [Rutter] is doing rehab, so he won’t be an option for tomorrow. Hopefully, we will see him in this season. James Milner, he’s back on the pitch, not with the team, but with the rehab coaches.”
Ferdi Kadioglu remains out, while João Pedro serves his final game of suspension after his red card against Brentford.
Brighton Predicted Lineup vs Newcastle
GK: Bart Verbruggen
RB: Joel Veltman
CB: Jan Paul van Hecke
CB: Lewis Dunk
LB: Pervis Estupinan
CM: Carlos Baleba
CM: Jack Hinshelwood
RW: Yankuba Minteh
AM: Matt O’Riley
LW: Karou Mitoma
ST: Danny Welbeck
