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Brighton welcome Southampton to the Amex Stadium on Friday night who will have the opportunity to go second in the Premier League. A win for the Saints won't move them off the bottom of the table, but will close the gap to just two points - and a win is certainly needed at this stage.
If you're a Brighton fan, you're heading into this fixture full of hope and confidence. After 12 matches, the Seagulls occupy fifth place, three points clear of Spurs in 6th. But the hosts won't be looking over their shoulders heading into this clash. A win will temporarily carry them into second place - and Brighton fans can certainly start to dream of another European adventure.
It's been stop start at home this season, but after their disappointing 2-2 draw against Wolves, Fabian Hurzeler's side delivered. At the time, beating Man City 2-1 was a phenomenal result, and although the champions have completely dropped off, Brighton will be riding that high into this fixture against struggling Southampton.
It's as bad as it gets for Southampton at present. Rooted to the foot of the table with just four points, the Saints have only won one Premier League match since their return.
After beating Everton, they were brought straight back down to earth with defeats against Wolves and league leaders Liverpool.
On the road, they've managed to lose all six matches, only scoring three goals in the process, and a trip to the Amex isn't at the top of their list as we head into December.
These two sides have encountered one another on plenty of occasions over the years, but the recent head-to-heads fall favourably to the hosts. Brighton have won three of their last five meetings, drawing the other two, and you have to go back to 2020 the last time Southampton managed to win.
The last meeting saw Brighton win 3-1, where Evan Ferguson scored a brace, although the young Irish forward hasn't been able to break into Hurzeler's side, and he's likely to move on loan during the January transfer window.
Yet Brighton are coping without him more than fine. Danny Welbeck continues to roll back the years, and the 34-year-old has six Premier League goals to his name. Joao Pedro has four, as well as contributing with two assists.
And it's goals that are the issue for Southampton. Adam Armstrong is their top goalscorer in the Premier League, but the 27-year-old only has two to his name - perhaps due to a lack of service in behind. If you give him chances, he's more than capable inside the box.
As I've already pointed out, Southampton have only scored three on the road in six matches, and that is something that needs to change if they are to survive in the Premier League. With Chelsea, Aston Villa and Spurs up next, it's only going to get tougher as we head into the festive period.
With Brighton flying and Southampton sinking, there's no surprise to see the Seagulls so short in the betting. However, I've located a bet builder that has the potential to build your bankroll heading into the weekend.
Having won three and drawn three at home - two of those wins coming against sides in the top six - Brighton are incredibly hard to beat on the south coast. It's only a short 63 mile trip for Southampton, and fans might be grateful for that considering their current run of for.
Danny Welbeck has led the line incredibly well in Joao Pedro's absence, but the Brazilian has returned with a bang, scoring against both Man City as well as Bournemouth. The 23-year-old also set up the winner against the reigning champions. With Welbeck not scoring in his last four, it's perhaps the perfect chance to allow his younger strike partner the limelight.
It's very difficult to look beyond a home win, but at short odds, it makes to add in Joao Pedro to contribute on the night. The Brazilian has a superb breakout year for Brighton, and after his lengthy injury, he's returned in some style.
By combining Brighton to win and Joao Pedro to score anytime, bet365's bet builder is currently 7/5 and looks well worth siding with as Southampton may end the weekend with a seventh straight defeat on the road.
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