As the Seagulls turn the Amex into a fortress, Fabian Hürzeler’s squad must overcome giant-killing disruptors to keep their European dreams alive and bury past defensive collapses.
Brighton and Hove Albion take on Wolves in a monumental game at the Amex for the Seagulls.
A win would continue their push towards possible European qualification, but Wolves have had a point to prove on their way down to the Championship. Wolves have become the disrupters. Securing points against the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, keeping multiple races still very much open.
Albion's form has been magnificent. Before the disappointing 3-1 defeat against Newcastle last time out, Albion had won 7 from 9 games, and some have been in emphatic fashion.
Albion have won 8 home games this season, too. Drawing 6, but only losing 3. They tend to be unbeaten at the Amex, creating something of a fortress. Their last two games at home were impressive victories over both Chelsea (3-0) and Liverpool (2-1). These games have been part of the crazy run that has shot the Seagulls back into the European conversations.
Due to the openness of the table, a win is the only scenario that Albion can focus on. Against an already relegated side, there really should be no excuses. Luckily for Brighton, Brentford face a Manchester City team chasing the Premier League title this weekend, with Chelsea facing Liverpool.
The possibility of dropped points between both teams is very likely, but still not enough to base their performance on. As we saw against Newcastle, one bad result opens up the potential to be leapfrogged by a handful of sides, and simply focusing on themselves is the best tactic at this stage of the season.
Brighton's team news is kind, too. Returns for James Milner and Solly March provide a boost for Fabian Hürzeler's squad, with the former being key to their upturn in form. Captain Lewis Dunk has also returned to full training, but duo Diego Gomez and Mats Wieffer are doubts.
Head-to-head, Brighton are far superior. Since Wolves' promotion in 2018, they have only managed to beat Albion three times.
Last time out, Jan Paul Van Hecke saved the Seagulls with a last-minute equaliser to prevent an embarrassing result on the road.
Looking back at last season for Wolves' previous visit to the Amex, a similar issue occurred. Albion were 2-0 up and cruising, but Wolves' 88th-minute goal from Ait-Nouri added a huge amount of pressure.
Albion were on the attack to close the game 3-1, but Wieffer's pass was intercepted, before a 93rd-minute counter-attack left the game ending 2-2, courtesy of Matheus Cunha.
A dismal result, which was a reflection of multiple points thrown away from leading positions by Albion.
While not a defeat, two disappointing meetings against the club from West Midlands.
Albion will be hoping for no repeats this time around, and in all honesty, I don't think there will be.
Prediction: Brighton 3-0 Wolves. This result could even be more, and a brilliant opportunity to stockpile valuable goal difference, as the tightness of the league could come down to that on the final day.