Brighton vs Southampton Predictions

• Brighton have won their last two games 2-1
• Both teams have scored in nine of the Seagulls’ last 10 games in all competitions
• Southampton have lost six of their last eight games with BTTS landing in five of the eight

Seagulls eye up Champions League place

Two clubs moving in opposite directions clash in a south coast derby on Friday night when Brighton could move into second place in the Premier League with a win over Southampton.

The Seagulls are targeting a return to European competition and their early-season form puts them in contention for a Champions League slot. Fabian Hurzeler’s side have beaten Tottenham both Manchester clubs at home and won away at Everton, Bournemouth and Newcastle.

Albion did drop points when Nottingham Forest and Wolves visited the Amex Stadium, but they led in both games and you would hope they had learned from their failures in game management.

Saints seek first away point

Southampton led Liverpool last weekend, but suffered a similar and not wholly unexpected fate when the Premier League leaders stormed back to win 3-2 at St Mary’s.

Russell Martin’s side have been entertaining if a touch brittle at home, but downright disappointing on their travels. The Saints have not taken an away point all season and look unlikely to start at Falmer, where they lost 3-1 on their last visit in May 2023.

Backing the home side to win with goals at both ends makes sense because both teams have scored in nine of Brighton’s last 10 games and also in three of Southampton’s last five away league matches.

If any further evidence were needed, the last seven head-to-head meetings between the clubs have seen both teams score with Saints successful on only one of those occasions. Brighton’s attacking prowess should see them secure a victory, but given their occasional defensive lapses, Southampton might find a way onto the scoresheet