Brighton's key men, predicted line-up, style and form - Leeds United opposition insight

Leeds United take on Brighton in the Premier League this weekend - but what can Whites' fans expect from the visitors?
Brighton boss Graham Potter instructs his players. Pic: GettyBrighton boss Graham Potter instructs his players. Pic: Getty
Brighton boss Graham Potter instructs his players. Pic: Getty

We asked Sports Editor Derren Howard from the Brighton and Hove Independent to give us the lowdown on the opposition...

Key men

Centre backs Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster have been outstanding for Albion of late. Graham Potter has tweaked his defensive formation slightly which allows both Dunk and Webster to play in their preferred central positions.

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Both are solid defensively, they carry the ball out well from the back and are a real handful at set-pieces. Yves Bissouma has also been one of Brighton's better players and it's little wonder he's been linked with a move away this January.

Arsenal are said to favourites to land the Mali international but a deal this month looks unlikely at this stage. Bissouma picks up a few too many yellows, hence why he was suspended at City, but he is ultra-competitive and will likely return to the starting XI at Elland Road.

South African striker Percy Tau is also one to keep an eye on. The tricky left-footed attacker made an encouraging Premier League debut at the Etihad on Wednesday and could be in line for a starting role once more at Leeds.

Style

Graham Potter likes his team to play possession football but they are often criticised for lacking that cutting edge and finishing teams off when they are on top.

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Brighton start their attacks from the back with Dunk, Webster and often Bissouma feeding balls through to the attacking midfielders and forwards.

Potter is known for changing tactics mid-game which often confuses the opponent and his own players in equal measure. Brighton are a good watch and an entertaining team.

If they can find the target more often and cut out the defensive errors they are certainly good enough to stay up. Two big ifs though!

Likely XI

Brighton are struggling with injuries at the moment. Tariq Lamptey (hamstring), Aaron Connolly (hamstring), Danny Welback (knee) and Adam Lallana (illness) are all set to miss out.

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I would expect a similar starting XI to City with perhaps Solly March in for Bernardo on the left and the returning Bissouma in for Davy Propper, who is easing his way back to full fitness after an Achilles problem.

Ben White could once again be used in a deep midfield role alongside Bissouma. It's a never an easy task predicting a Potter line-up – many Albion fans refer to his selections as the National Pottery – and much will depend if he goes with three at the back or sticks with the four.

Here's my best guess at a starting XI with four at the back: Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Webster, Burn; Mac Allister, Bissouma, White, March; Trossard, Maupay.

A possible starting XI with a defensive trio: Sanchez; White, Dunk, Webster; Veltman, Propper, Bissouma, Trossard, March; Maupay, Tau.

Expectation vs reality

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Talk at the start of the season was of Brighton's aim to establish themselves as solid mid table Premier League team. But they have had a dismal run and it's a sequence of results that could have easily seen many managers sacked by now.

Potter's team have not won in nine league matches and are just two points ahead of 18th-placed Fulham, who have two games in hand.

They have the most amount of draws (eight) and their last victory was at Aston Villa on 21 November. Brighton are however competitive in most matches and when they click, they are a genuine handful.

The Potter 'in or out?' debate very much divides opinion among the fans but he is contracted until 2025 and has the backing of the club.

Brighton should have enough to stay up this season but it could well be nervy ride. Three points at Elland Road would be a huge boost.