Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati could return to the starting eleven as Brighton & Hove Albion look to beat Sheffield United for the first time in the Premier League. Here’s how the Last Word on Football predicts Roberto Ze Derbi’s men will line up at Brammall Lane on Sunday afternoon.
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How Brighton Have Lined-up Recently
There has been rotation in goal for the Seagulls, with Jason Steele and Bart Verbruggen each starting three of the last six games in all competitions.
Injuries have meant a lack of consistency in the fullback positions, with Tariq Lamptey, Jack Hinshelwood, Pervis Estupinian and Igor Julio all enjoying periods in the starting eleven.
Billy Gilmour and Pascal Groß have been ever-present for De Zerbi in midfield, with James Milner and Adam Lallana – featuring at times.
Facundo Buonanotte has started Brighton’s last eight fixtures in all competitions, mostly from the right-hand side. The return of Simon Adingra from the Africa Cup of Nations and a fully fit Ansu Fati could change this.
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The Barcelona loanee has made two appearances from the bench in Albion’s last two games after being out since November with a knee injury.
Danny Welbeck looks to be the first-choice striker in Joao Pedro’s absence, starting five of the last six league games over Irish youngster Evan Ferguson.
Brighton Recent Form and Tactics
After a 2-1 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur last time out, De Zerbi’s side have picked up just one win in their previous five Premier League fixtures in a 4-1 home victory over rivals Crystal Palace.
The Seagulls are winless in their last six league fixtures on the road, making it their longest run of away games without a win since December 2021.
Despite Sheffield United’s position at the bottom of the table, Brighton will be aware of avoiding complacency, having failed to beat the Blades in five Premier League attempts and winning just one of their six games against teams in the relegation zone this season.
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After failing to score in three successive league games against West Ham, Wolves, and Luton, De Zerbi switched to a back three against Palace, which appeared to pay dividends as they found the net four times.
However, the Italian reverted to his usual back four against Spurs as his side conceded a 96th-minute Brennan Johnson goal to lose the game.
De Zerbi has been deploying a 4-3-3 system, but this could change with Milner ruled out once again with a knee injury and the return of Adingra and Fati.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk manager may return to a 4-2-3-1 formation, which he used more often earlier in the season, to capitalise on these attacking players.
Brighton Absentees to Consider
Top scorer Pedro remains out after picking up a hamstring injury ahead of the Spurs clash. De Zerbi confirmed the forward could return in 20-25 days.
Julio Enciso, who made just two appearances this season before picking up a knee injury, has returned to training but will not be available to the Italian for another two weeks.
Academy graduate Hinshelwood will be out with a foot injury for around three months following surgery.
Veteran Milner remains out with a knee injury.
Brighton Predicted Lineup
Predicted Lineup:
GK- Jason Steele
RB- Tariq Lamptey
CB – van Hecke
CB – Lewis Dunk
LB – Pervis Estupinian
CM – Billy Gilmour
CM – Pascal Groß
CAM – Ansu Fati
LW – Kaoru Mitoma
RW – Facundo Buonanotte
ST – Danny Welbeck
