Swansea sit just ahead of the relegation zone on goal difference and have been on a poor run recently that has seen them win just one of their last five. Brighton are five places and four points ahead of them after an improved set of results recently, they are finding a way to defend well and not get beat, they are unbeaten in their last three and have lost just one of their last five.
It may only be November, but this is an important game for both clubs, Swansea know they need to stop losing and find a way to pick points up, otherwise they could find themselves in the relegation zone after this weekend. Brighton will have far more confidence in the camp and a draw would suit them in an away game, which is what they will be aiming for, anything else would be a huge bonus.
Premier League – Liberty Stadium, Plasmarl – Saturday 4th November – 15:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 2 at Ladbrokes |
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Swansea City
BrightonSwansea Form
At this time last season, Swansea were in trouble at the bottom of the table and it was only a great second half of the season that saved them. Despite that near miss they haven’t gone out and bought a lot of players this summer, especially considering their best player Gylfi Sigurdsson left the club. That looks to be their downfall so far, and something they are going to have to wait until January to address.
A home victory over fellow relegation candidates Huddersfield should have sparked Swansea into life, but just a week later they were beaten by Leicester at home. They fought well at the Emirates last weekend against Arsenal, but ultimately lost the game 2-1, leaving them with four losses out of their last five games.
What Swansea could do is try and draw some of their games to pick up the odd points here and there. That would give them a platform to work on and while drawing is not ideal, it is far easier to turn draws into victories than it is to turn losses into victories.
Brighton Form
I think Brighton will be very pleased with how they have performed so far in the Premier League. They took a while to adapt but since then they have remained consistent and managed to pick up regular points both at home and away. Even drawing games will help them in the long run and losing just one of their last five is a very impressive record for them and one that has helped them move up to 12th in the table.
One are they have been very strong is in defence, they have conceded just 11 goals from their 10 games. That has been thanks to a huge team effort, but in particular Lewis Dunk who has been outstanding and is on the verge of the England team after his performances.
Brighton’s slightly defensive style is suited to playing away from home so they won’t mind being away in this one. I expect them to set their stall out and defend strong, and if they have a point with ten minutes to go, they will do all they can to hang onto it.
Team News
Tammy Abraham has been in very good form for Swansea this season, so much so that he has earnt himself a call up to the England squad. That will have lifted his confidence a lot and he should go into this weekend’s game with a spring in his step as he looks to make it onto the plane for Russia 2018.
Brighton will have to keep him quiet and that is likely going to fall onto the shoulders of Lewis Dunk who has been in tremendous form. Not only is he on the very of being called up by England but there is plenty of transfer speculation surrounding him and if he keeps playing like this it is only a matter of time before a big club comes in for him.
Top Betting Tips
I expect Brighton to come into this game looking to be strong defensively and if they have a point with the game coming to an end, that is what they will settle for. That makes the draw an appealing bet and priced up at 11/5 with Betfair it offers tremendous value in what looks set to be a close encounter. Both teams could do with a win, especially Swansea, but in the end I think they are going to have to settle for a point each in this one.