Brighton Team News - Soccer

Carlos Baleba - Forced off injured Baleba (undisclosed) was forced off injured at halftime during Wednesday's 1-0 victory against Gabon at AFCON, according to The Argus.

Impact Baleba had a decent outing against Gabon on Wednesday, helping the Lions remain stable in midfield before suffering an apparent injury that required treatment and forced him off at the break. The midfielder will hope to recover quickly, as he is very important for Cameroon in the midfield. Baleba's extent of injury is still unknown, as there has been no report released regarding his condition yet.

16 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Mats Wieffer - Late call Saturday Wieffer (undisclosed) is assessed on a day-to-day basis and will be a late call for Saturday's clash against Arsenal, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in the press conference, according...

Impact Wieffer was forced off at halftime against Sunderland on Saturday due to an injury scare and is currently being assessed on a day-to-day basis ahead of Saturday's clash against Arsenal. The right back will be a late fitness call after the final training session, and if he can't be deemed fit enough to feature, Joel Veltman will likely start in his spot against the Gunners.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Danny Welbeck - Late fitness call against Arsenal Welbeck (back) is expected to resume team training on Tuesday and will likely be a late fitness call for Saturday's clash against Arsenal, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in the press c...

Impact Welbeck has been dealing with back issues since weeks and is expected to resume team training on Tuesday ahead of Saturday's clash against Arsenal. The captain of the Seagulls will likely be assessed after the final training session later in the week to see if he can be deemed fit enough to feature against the Gunners. That said, if he had to miss another game, Georginio Rutter will start again to lead the frontline as the striker for Brighton.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jan Paul Van Hecke - Should be back available Van Hecke (illness) is expected to train on Wednesday and should be back available for Saturday's clash against Arsenal, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in the press conference, accordi...

Impact Van Hecke missed the last game against Sunderland due to illness but should return in team training on Wednesday and be an option for Saturday's clash against Arsenal as he will have a few days to be back fit. This is great news for the Seagulls since he is an undisputed starter for the club and will likely return directly to the starting squad against the Gunners if fit enough to do so.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Danny Welbeck - Working towards Arsenal return Welbeck (back) is not training fully but is working towards a return against Arsenal on Saturday, according to manager Fabian Hurzeler, per Brian Owen of The Argus. "I wouldn't sa...

Impact Welbeck had to hit the sidelines ahead of the club's last match with back spasms and still dealing with some of the issues, as he was not able to train fully this week. This leaves the forward questionable for Saturday's match, needing to see a boost in fitness to be an option. He has started in 11 of his 16 appearances this season while scoring seven goals, so the club will await his availability, with Georginio Rutter as his replacement if he misses more time.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Kaoru Mitoma - Four crosses as sub Mitoma recorded four crosses (two accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Sunderland.

Impact Mitoma made his second appearance after returning from injury. He had started each of the first six games this season before he picked up his injury. In this game, he created two chances and attempted four crosses in what was only a 26-minute substitute appearance.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Yasin Ayari - Five shots in 0-0 draw Ayari had five shots (two on goal) in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Sunderland.

Impact Ayari took five shots in his 12th start of the season. This was the second time this season that he has taken five shots, putting two shots on target for the fourth time this year. When he has a shot on target in a game, he has at least two. After two games out in early December, he then came on as a sub against Liverpool but returned to the starting lineup.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Georginio Rutter - Five shots in 0-0 draw Rutter registered five shots (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Sunderland.

Impact Rutter took five shots as Brighton drew 0-0 with Sunderland. He was only able to put one of the five shots on target. This is the third time in his last four matches that he has taken at least four shots. The attacker has only managed one goal this season in 15 games, which have included 13 starts. This was the second time this season that he has played 90 minutes in the game. These two have both been in the last two matches.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Bart Verbruggen - Six saves in 0-0 draw Verbruggen recorded six saves and allowed zero goals in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Sunderland.

Impact Verbruggen kept his fourth clean. sheet of the season, all of which have come since the start of November. He made six saves, his joint-most in any game this season. His saves were crucial in securing his side an important point in the league table.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Diego Gomez - Option moving forward Gomez is no longer banned and is an option after his suspension.

Impact Gomez has served his one game on the sidelines due to yellow card accumulation, sitting out against Sunderland. He is now an option and should assume a starting role, starting in 11 of his 15 appearances this season, while bagging two goals.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Lewis Dunk - Back from ban Dunk is no longer suspended and is an option moving forward for the club.

Impact Dunk has served his one-match ban and is an option for the club again, with the defender having his yellow cards reset. He has started in 15 of his 16 appearances this season and should immediately return to a starting role, especially with a busy schedule ahead.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Danny Welbeck - Back issues too important Welbeck (back) is ruled out for Saturday's clash against Sunderland.

Impact Welbeck has been dealing with back issues and was restricted in training this week. Those issues seem to be too important to allow the striker to feature in Saturday's clash against the Black Cats. Welbeck will hope to recover ahead of next week's game against Arsenal as he is usually a regular starter in the frontline for the Seagulls. Until he returns to full fitness, Georginio Rutter is the one starting in the striker spot for Brighton.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jan Paul Van Hecke - Dealing with illness Van Hecke (illness) is not available for Saturday's clash against Sunderland, according to Andy Naylor from The Athletic.

Impact Van Hecke is ruled out for Saturday's clash against Sunderland due to suffering from an illness. The center-back will hope to recover in time for next week's fixture against Arsenal, while his absence is forcing a change in the starting XI, with both Olivier Boscagli and Diego Coppola pairing for the first time in the Premier League due to the absence of Lewis Dunk for suspension.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Tom Watson - Option off bench Saturday Watson (undisclosed) is on the bench for Saturday's clash against Sunderland.

Impact Watson is an option off the bench for Saturday's clash against Sunderland after training fully this week. He had been expected to return against Liverpool last week and now regains matchday availability. His role remains unchanged, as he has only featured as a substitute for the Seagulls this season.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Sunderland AFC Prediction, Odds, Picks - Dec 20

Preview the matchup between Brighton & Hove Albion and Sunderland AFC with predictions, odds, over/under, betting lines and more.

5 DAYS AGO • Data Skrive

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Sunderland AFC Prediction, Odds, Picks - Dec 20

Maxime De Cuyper - Didn't train fully De Cuyper remained on the bench in the last game and didn't train fully this week due to an undisclosed issue, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in the press conference, according to The...

Impact De Cuyper is currently dealing with an undisclosed issue that is not ruling him out but is serious enough to prevent him from training in full during the week and starting in the last game. The versatile defender was rested during the clash against Liverpool and is a doubt for a starting role against Sunderland on Saturday, as he did not train fully this week. That issue is expected to lead to increased playing time for either Brajan Gruda in the frontline or Ferdi Kadioglu at the back for the Seagulls.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Tom Watson - Option against Sunderland Watson (undisclosed) trained fully this week and is an option for Saturday's clash against Sunderland, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in the press conference, according to Johnny Canto...

Impact Watson was expected to be back available against Liverpool last week and will have a new chance to return in Saturday's clash against Sunderland since he is an option after training fully this week, according to manager Fabian Hurzeler. That said, the forward has only been a bench option for the Seagulls this season, therefore his return won't impact the starting squad.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Danny Welbeck - Restricted in training Welbeck was restricted in training this week, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in the press conference, according to Johnny Cantor.

Impact Welbeck is dealing with a minor issue that didn't allow him to start the last game against Liverpool and has restricted him in training this week. The striker will likely be available for Saturday's clash against Sunderland but might start on the bench again due to the issue, allowing Georginio Rutter to take the starting role again as the striker against the Black Cats if Welbeck isn't fully fit to start the game.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Bart Verbruggen - Beaten twice Verbruggen had two saves and allowed two goals in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Impact Verbruggen faced four shots Saturday and was only able to stop a pair of them. On a day where the team in front of him offered nothing in terms of goal support it's hard to put the blame on Verbruggen. He would have wanted the first goal back, but the second was an unstoppable header from close range that Verbruggen had no hope of getting to.

DECEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Carlos Baleba - Quiet in midfield Carlos Baleba recorded one shot (zero on goal) in Saturday's 2-0 loss to Liverpool.

Impact Baleba took a single shot during Saturday's loss and was largely played around in the midfield. This was always going to be a tough match at Anfield, especially going forward, and Baleba couldn't really get involved. As a true holding midfielder, Baleba doesn't offer as much going forward, especially against top opponents. Baleba is now set to depart for AFCON, meaning he will be unavailable for the next three weeks at a minimum.

DECEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Yankuba Minteh - Three shots during loss Minteh generated three shots (zero on goal), six crosses (two accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-0 defeat versus Liverpool.

Impact Minteh took three shots and created a chance during Saturday's loss, but nothing would beat Alisson. The striker has been threatening in a larger role for Brighton, and is set to be relied on heavily with injuries elsewhere in the attack. Minteh hasn't gotten on the scoresheet in the last four matches, and remains on five goal contributions for the season.

DECEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Ferdi Kadioglu - Busy in loss Kadioglu recorded one shot (zero on goal), four crosses (zero accurate) and two corners in Saturday's 2-0 loss against Liverpool.

Impact Kadioglu was busy going forward, as he usually is, but couldn't find any end product during Saturday's loss. The winger has shown plenty of potential going forward as a creator and finisher, but it was a tough day for Brighton throughout. Kadioglu should have more upside against lesser teams in the league, especially if he maintains a role further up the pitch.

DECEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Kaoru Mitoma - Carefully managed in return Mitoma is carefully managed in his return from an ankle injury and will face limited minutes in order to build his competitive fitness back, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in a press c...

Impact Mitoma was planned to play half an hour in Saturday's clash against Liverpool, as his minutes are being limited after returning from a long term ankle injury. The winger will likely build his competitive fitness back in the upcoming fixtures to ensure he does not face any setbacks related to his injury. That said, once fully back fit, Mitoma will claim back an undisputed starter role in the frontline of the Seagulls.

DECEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Diego Gomez - Receives one match ban Gomez will serve one-match ban due to an accumulation of five yellow cards in the Premier League.

Impact Gomez accumulated five yellow cards in the Premier League and will be suspended for the clash against Sunderland on Saturday. His absence will impact the starting squad since he has been a regular starter in the frontline for the Seagulls this season, with Kaoru Mitoma finding back a starting role or Brajan Gruda getting a larger role for that game. Gomez will be back available for the clash against Arsenal on Dec. 27.

DECEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Lewis Dunk - Set for suspension Dunk will serve one-match ban due to an accumulation of five yellow cards in the Premier League.

Impact Dunk accumulated five yellow cards in the Premier League and will be suspended for the clash against Sunderland on Saturday. His absence will impact the starting squad since he has been an undisputed starter in central defense for the Seagulls, with Olivier Boscagli as the most likely option to replace him against the Black Cats. Dunk will be back available for the clash against Arsenal on Dec. 27.

DECEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

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