Brighton and Hove Albion will be desperate to return back to winning ways in the Premier League when they travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side have been the draw specialists in the Premier League this season, with their last four league games all ending level. In recent weeks, those stalemates have continued to mount and push them down to 11th in the table.
However, the Seagulls recorded a much-needed victory in the FA Cup, thrashing Norwich City 4-0 in the third round. This should give Hurzeler’s side some belief heading into the game at Ipswich Town.
Brighton Team News
Brighton have been hit with an injury crisis, putting Hurzeler in a selection dilemma ahead of the game against Ipswich.
Defensive duo Lewis Dunk and Tariq Lamptey should be able to return here, while attacking duo Yankuba Minteh and Georginio Rutter will be assessed before the game after sustaining minor injuries at Norwich.
Joao Pedro has returned to training this week but there are question marks over whether he is fully fit to start the game. Jack Hinshelwood has also trained, but Mats Wieffer and Evan Ferguson look to miss out again.
New signing Diego Gomez is an option for the game, stated Hurzeler in his presser.
Predicted Brighton lineup vs Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Bart Verbruggen should start in goal, hoping to keep a clean sheet at Portman Road.
Defence
In front of Verbruggen, Brighton are set to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation once again. Lewis Dunk should be fit to start after recovering from a knock. He will partner Jan Paul van Hecke in central defence, and the duo must look to contain Ipswich’s battering ram, Liam Delap.
Pervis Estupinan and Joel Veltman should be the full-backs for the visitors. They will try to stretch Ipswich’s backline with intelligent runs and deliver tasty crosses in the box.
Midfield
Carlos Baleba and Yasin Ayari are set to form the double pivot in midfield once again. They have built a promising partnership and Hurzeler has no reason to disrupt the flow.
Julio Enciso will look to work on the pockets in between Ipswich’s midfield and attack, using his creativity to create openings for the forwards. The Paraguayan should start in the No.10 role, with Joao Pedro expected to be fit enough to start on the bench.
Attack
Brajan Gruda and Kaoru Mitoma should operate as wide forwards against the Tractor Boys. With their pace, dynamism and trickery, they will look to make life difficult for the hosts.
Yankuba Minteh, Solly March and Simon Adingra will be options on the bench, with veteran Danny Welbeck tasked with leading the Brighton attack. Georginio Rutter could come off the bench in the second half.
