Brighton & Hove Albion walk into the new season with plenty to look forward to. New manager Graham Potter was a busy man in the summer, adding fresh faces to the squad that did well to avoid relegation last season.
The Seagulls now have a decent squad at their disposal and will look to climb up the points table this season. They will start their league campaign when they travel to Vicarage Road on Saturday to take on Javi Gracia’s side that was hard to beat last season.
Potter’s men have beaten Valencia and Birmingham City in their last two pre-season games and will be confident ahead of this tie. But Watford, who are unbeaten in their last 12 opening day fixtures in league competitions, will be high on confidence as well, after ending their pre-season with three straight wins.
Team News
In early team news, Brighton will be without the services of Yves Bissouma and Jose Izquierdo, both of who are out for at least another couple of months. Ezequiel Schelotto remains the only other injury concern for Potter ahead of this game. Though Potter tried the 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations in the pre-season, he could stick with the more tested 4-4-2 for this opening game against an attacking Watford side.
PREDICTED BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION LINEUP vs WATFORD (4-4-2)
Defence
Mat Ryan was a regular in the first team last season and also did enough in the pre-season under the new manager to keep his place under the bar. Young Dan Burn was impressive in patches in pre-season but Potter is expected to stick with Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy as his centre-back partnership against Watford this weekend.
Martin Montoya is the best option at right-back for Potter while Bernardo has been a regular at left-back and should keep his place in the side and will have his task cut out against the likes of Gerard Deulofeu on the wings.
Midfield
Aaron Mooy is now a Brighton player but he has not had enough sessions with the squad and will only make the bench for this game. Potter should continue to use the trusted pairing of Davy Propper and Dale Stephens, adding balance and stability to the Brighton midfield.
Solly March could be used on the right flank in the midfield. The 25-year old will have to provide cover for his full-backs but will also be responsible to add some width to their attack on the right flank. New signing Leandro Trossard was impressive in pre-season and deserves a chance on the left side of the midfield for Brighton.
Attack
Glenn Murray remains the best option to lead the attack for Brighton this weekend. He will play alongside Jurgen Locadia and the duo will look to form a strong partnership in attack early in the season.
