Brighton & Hove Albion vs Leeds United
Leeds United are travelling south this weekend to take on Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium, in search of some Saturday afternoon revenge.
Premier League: Brighton vs Leeds United isn’t yet an established fixture, this is the first season they have met in the top flight this century. The Seagulls won the return match and Leeds will be looking to put that right. Brighton is best known for its 8km beach and seaside attractions but the visitors aren’t quite ready for a holiday just yet.
The pre-match Brighton vs Leeds betting odds slightly favour the hosts, though they have all the pressure on their shoulders, needing a few more points to guarantee survival, while Leeds are enjoying a great run of form.
Talking Points
Seagulls not safe yet
Graham Potter’s side is without a win in four and a defeat to Leeds could leave them with the prospect of a fourth successive relegation battle. They have been successful in their first three, finishing 15th, 17th and 15th and they currently sit in 17th place this season, seven points clear of Fulham and with five games to play.
Realistically, one win would probably be enough but Potter would rather get that sooner than later. A 1-0 defeat to doomed Sheffield United last week rang some alarm bells, and with matches against Wolves, West Ham, Manchester City and Arsenal to come, that was a huge opportunity missed. David McGoldrick’s strike was enough to beat the Seagulls who, despite dominating possession and the shot count, didn’t overly trouble the Blades’ keeper.
It’s a familiar story for Brighton who have a penchant for playing easy-on-the-eye football without a consistent cutting edge. In his second season at Brighton, Belgian forward Leandro Trossard has shown plenty of creative instinct, providing five assists while Neal Maupay is top-scoring with eight goals. 2020 recruit Danny Wellbeck has scored four goals in his first season at the Amex and he was close to making it five when a late effort against Chelsea hit a post, to deny the Seagulls a famous win at Stamford Bridge last week.
But centre back Lewis Dunk is Brighton’s key player, he’s a rock at the heart of the defence and, with four goals, a real threat from set-pieces.
Top ten is on for Leeds
Leeds come into the game on the back of a spectacular run of three wins and three draws, including a victory over Manchester City and draws with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United; and they sit in ninth place, above Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Centre forward Patrick Bamford is having the season of his life, scoring 14 goals while Jack Harrison, with seven goals and six assists, has attracted the attention of a host of top clubs, as has Raphinha. The Brazilian winger has to qualify as one the Premier League’s signings of the season but is likely to be sidelined for this one.
Head coach Marcelo Bielsa has recruited well in defence too. Centre back Diego Llorente has had an impressive season and stalwart Luke Ayling has adapted seamlessly to Premier League football, taking the skipper’s armband in the absence of the injured Liam Cooper, while Llorente scored a late equaliser in Leeds’ recent draw with Liverpool.
Diego Llorente celebrates after scoring a last-minute equaliser for Leeds United against Liverpool
History
Brighton have won 11 of the last 23 meetings while Leeds have won six and drawn six. All these Brighton vs Leeds results were from the lower divisions until the two sides met in January at Elland Road when the Seagulls won a dour affair 1-0 thanks to a goal from Maupay to end Brighton’s nine-match winless run.
While Leeds arrive in great form, unbeaten in six, the Seagulls are, once again, on a bleak streak, without a win in four, and they haven’t been great at home, winning only twice, drawing eight and losing six.
Betting Tip
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Brighton & Hove Albion vs Leeds United | Under 2.50 @ 2.00 |
| May 01, 22:00 (GMT+8) |
The Seagulls are marginal favourites at SBOTOP odds of 2.29 while Leeds are at 3.00 and the draw is 3.35, but I just can’t make a case for a home win.
Graham Potter’s men have struggled to turn draws into victories and they are without a goal in three games, although conceding just once. Leeds have been one of the most entertaining sides in the league this season but they arrive on the back of a goalless draw and a 1-1 draw. Those are fine results against Manchester United and Liverpool, but without Raphinha and against a side desperate to avoid defeat, they may find the Seagulls hard to break down.
A scoreline of 1-1 is at 6.00 and that would probably suit both teams.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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The post Premier League: In Form Leeds Head to the Seaside! appeared first on SBOTOP.