Brighton will be bidding to snap a three-game winless run in the Premier League when they welcome Sunderland to the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
After amassing 10 points from a possible 12 during November, the Seagulls have suffered from a bit of a slump in form of late.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side have fallen to defeat against both Aston Villa and Liverpool, either side of a 1-1 draw with West Ham across the last three rounds of Premier League action. Consequently, the hosts have tumbled down to 10th place in the top-flight standings.
Sunderland, meanwhile, will head into this clash on cloud nine after claiming a 1-0 win over arch-rivals Newcastle last Sunday.
That triumph has lifted Regis Le Bris’ side up to eighth place in the table, just three points behind Crystal Palace in fifth position.
How the bookies view it: Advantage Albion
Despite their recent sticky patch, the bookmakers’ odds suggest that Brighton will return to winning ways this weekend, with a home success on offer at 4/6 with bet365.
Sunderland – who have lost three of their last five Premier League away games – are 17/4 outsiders with bet365, while a share of the Amex spoils is also considered unlikely at 13/5 with the same firm.
Head to head: History book dormant
Brighton and Sunderland will cross paths in a league fixture for the first time in almost 21 years on Saturday afternoon.
The pair have met 35 times in all competitions, with the fixture perfectly balanced at 14 wins each and seven draws.
Players to watch: Maxim to make his mark?
Having been utilised as a winger in recent weeks, Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper offers value at 11/10 to deliver a minimum of one shot on target during this contest. The selection would have proven profitable in two of De Cuyper’s last three Premier League appearances.
Brian Brobbey has drawn a combined total of six fouls from the opposition across his last two Premier League starts for Sunderland, making the Dutch attacker an attractive option to be brought down two or more times during this contest at 6/5 with bet365.
Predicted line-ups
Diego Gomez and Lewis Dunk will both serve suspensions on Saturday, while Adam Webster, Solly March and Stefanos Tzimas are all sidelined for the hosts due to injury. Key midfielder Carlos Baleba is unavailable due to Africa Cup of Nations commitments.
Sunderland have been one of the teams hardest hit by AFCON call-ups, with Arthur Masuaku, Bertrand Traore, Chemsdine Talbi, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki and Reinildo all away on international duty. Luke O'Nien will also be missing due to suspension.
Brighton: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Boscaglie, Van Hecke, Kadioglu; Hinshelwood, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, De Cuyper; Welbeck
Sunderland: Roefs; Mukiele, Alderete, Ballard, Geertruida, Hume; Talbi, Xhaka, Neil, Le Fee; Brobbey
Anything else catch the eye?
The 5/6 on offer with Ladbrokes for both teams to score looks too big to ignore at the Amex on Saturday afternoon.
There have been goals at both ends in all bar one of Brighton’s eight Premier League home games this season.
What’s more, both teams have hit the back of the net in Sunderland’s recent away days at both Liverpool and Chelsea.
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