Brighton are no pushovers at home

It was only back on 3rd April when Norwich were down at Brighton's Amex stadium and the Canaries were certainly delighted to come away with a 0-1 win thanks to a Bradley Johnson goal. Brighton tend to keep possession well at home and deny opponents too much time on the ball. They have beaten Derby and Ipswich at home since the new year and AFCB cannot expect an easy ride against this team.

With Brighton on 45 points and still having five games to go they are not mathematically safe yet, but it would have to be a poor run of results and something spectacular from either Wigan or Millwall to catch the Seagulls now. Brighton fans will write this season off, but they won't hesitate to celebrate a minor victory over the Cherries if they get the chance and watching their team against AFCB down at the Goldsands Stadium last November I know they have enough about them to make this possibly the most difficult match left on the Cherries' fixture list.

I hope the weather is a bit better than last time we visited the Amex.

While Brighton have not been setting the league alight with their goal tally, they don't exactly give that many away either. their last five games have not seen more than two goals scored in each match and Brighton have only let two goals in during those five games. Their back four in their last match against Rotherham consisted of Bruno, Greg  Halford, Lewis Dunk and Joe Bennett while Stockdale has been keeping goal.

Their much talked about striker for his goal celebrations in particular is Kazenga Lua Lua, but he has only scored three league goals all season. Chris O'Grady, the former Barnsley striker was brought in to bolster their attack last summer but he has netted just one league goal since his arrival. Craig Mackail-Smith is on the same league total of one, so you can see where some of the problems have been for Brighton. Yet, they have a strong midfield with Rohan Ince and Joao Teixeira as well as Forster-Caskey who I see as all good players.

AFCB prepare to take on the Seagulls again.

Chris Hughton has not been happy with his sides blocking of crosses and you just get the feeling that this could be a game when Kenwyne Jones might get some joy if he can get on as a second half substitute for the Cherries. Before that though I expect Eddie Howe to feel that his side is good enough to craft a way through the Seagull's defences with the kind of form that the Cherries have been in at home, but away from home the Cherries need to be more clinical than they have been of late. The aim will be to give David Stockdale a torrid time, although I have heard that he could be a doubt for the game.

Brighton Home Form
WWWDL

AFCB Away Form
WLWDD

Do check out our Rival Lines with The Albion Roar as well for more Match Preview views.

The Cherries travel to the Amex with confidence

Since AFCB's last clash with Brighton & Hove Albion in November the Seagulls have been regularly picking up points home and away with their 3:1 win against Leicester City being their best result in early December at the Amex. Still they have had their disappointments too, like the home defeat to Barnsley (1:2) and away loss at Charlton (3:2), so Brighton have not managed to sneak into the top six yet and AFCB now stand in their way.

Eunan and Harry are probably favourites to start in AFCB's midfield.

Can Harry rule the midfield on New Year's Day?

The Cherries have had some great away results in recent weeks and the chance to play at the Amex stadium for the first time must be quite a thrill for our players. As a Cherries supporter I am really looking forward to the trip not only because it will be a pleasant change from the windy Withdean stadium, where you needed a pair of binoculars to see any of the action, but I genuinely give AFCB a good chance of getting a result at the Amex.

Brighton may have a slightly different team available to when we last met as Ulloa, Buckley, Lua Lua and David Lopez spent time on the pitch in their last game against Blackpool and they are supported by Ashley Barnes who scored the stunning equaliser last time around at Dean Court.

What might Eddie Howe have learnt from that game at home at the end of November? I would think that Rohan Ince is one player that he would hope we coped better with. The tall midfielder had a big influence on the game at dean Court, not just because of his size, but his quality of passing. Craig Conway also had a good game on the left wing, but he did not play for Brighton in their last game. Gordon Greer at the back also missed out against Blackpool, but could make a return against AFCB. Brighton gave a debut to Adam Chicksen at left back in that game and he was said to cope well with Blackpool's Tom Ince. Now he is likely to be facing Matt Ritchie, so let's hope his second game is not so easy.

Brighton will be without Will Buckley having sustained a hamstring injury at Blackpool, while Stephen Ward and Bruno Saltor are said to be being monitored.

Whatever team Oscar Garcia picks we know they will be a good passing side and Elliott Ward and Tommy Elphick will have to be on their metal to repel the strong strike force that Brighton will have out. If they can hold firm in that first half hour, I see know reason why the Cherries can't come away with something from the game and keep their impressive away form going.

Brighton & Hove Albion home form:
DWLWD

AFCB away form:
LDLWW