Date/Time: Saturday 9th February 2019 (Kick-off 6:30 PM CET).
This has to be far from the most appealing Saturday Night Football game that is going to be broadcast between now and the end of the season but for Brighton and Burnley it is a hugely important game.
Both clubs are involved in a developing relegation battle and the points on the line could be vital when all is said and done later in the season.
If you're looking for goals the last eighteen months suggests this is not the ground to be visiting this weekend. Since Brighton were promoted to the Premier League the 3 League games between these teams have produced a grand total of a single goal and I do think chances are going to be few and far between.
Brighton have not scored in their last 3 home games in all competitions which is a massive concern for Chris Hughton as his team perhaps begin to get pulled back into a relegation scrap. They are now facing a Burnley team who have gone back to basics in being hard to break down and who will take the limited chances that come their way to earn points.
All credit has to be given to Sean Dyche who has overseen a 6 game unbeaten run in the Premier League for Burnley and whose side have only conceded more than once in 1 of those games. That came in the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford as Manchester United scored twice in the last few minutes to salvage a point, but the performances Burnley have produced of late makes them a tough team to oppose.
Brighton also had the misfortune of playing a tough FA Cup Replay that went to Extra Time on Wednesday and there could be one or two tired bodies in there. A single goal could be enough for either team to win this game, but I feel the edge has to be given to Burnley to avoid a defeat here as they have had a week to prepare for the fixture and been in the better run of form.
The visitors have scored in 3 of their last 4 away Premier League games and one goal may be enough to at least earn another point and I will back Burnley with the start on the Asian Handicap.
Prediction: Burnley + 0.5 Asian Handicap
T&Cs apply.
