Brighton were tipped by many to struggle this season, but Chris Hughton’s side head into Monday’s game against Stoke City looking to extend their unbeaten run to five matches in the Premier League. The South Coast side are currently flying high in 8th place in the table in what is their maiden Premier League campaign. Monday’s opponents, Stoke City, are having another difficult season down in 15th place though and a defeat in this game would heap even more pressure on manager Mark Hughes.
English Premier League – Brighton vs Stoke City – AMEX Stadium – Monday 20th November 2017 – 20:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 11/5 at PaddyPower |
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Brighton
Stoke CityBrighton & Hove Albion
Brighton have been very solid recently, winning two and drawing two of their last four games. They beat Swansea City 1-0 last time out thanks to a goal from Glenn Murray and it was another solid defensive display by Hughton’s side which saw them over the line. Murray has now found the net four times in his last three games and he will be the man tasked with scoring the goals again on Monday. The manager has an almost fully fit squad at the moment, with veteran midfielder Steve Sidwell the only notable absentee.
Stoke City
Stoke City twice came from behind in their last match, a 2-2 draw with Leicester City and Mark Hughes will have been delighted with the spirit on show from his side. Peter Crouch popped up with another important goal in that game and he must now be pushing for a start against Brighton on Monday. Jack Butland picked up an injury during the international break and the goalkeeper will be a massive miss for Stoke in what looks like a must win game for Mark Hughes.
Talking Points
- Stoke City have conceded an average of two goals per game this season, including seven against Manchester City.
- Stoke City have won their last eight matches against Brighton in all competitions, keeping five clean sheets in the process.
- Darren Fletcher has now appeared in 102 consecutive Premier League matches for his clubs (WBA & Stoke combined). This is the joint-fifth longest run by an outfield player in Premier League history, with only Frank Lampard (164), Matt Holland (115), Wayne Bridge (113), and Jonathan Walters (104) beating this run.
Prediction
Stoke City have struggled this season and keeping clean sheets has been a massive problem for them. On Monday night they come up against a Brighton side who are full of confidence at the moment and will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to five matches. I can see a draw being the most likely outcome in this one and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see both teams grab a couple of goals.
Betting Tips
Brighton start this match as favourites at odds of 23/17, whilst an away win for Stoke City is priced up at 5/2 with the draw slightly shorter at 11/5. I think those odds on the draw are very good and I can see it being the most likely outcome in this one. You can get Evens on BTTS and that also looks like a solid bet to me, with Stoke City averaging two goals conceded a game this season and Brighton averaging one goal a game conceded.
Draw – 11/5 (PaddyPower)