Leeds United v Brighton: Our YEP Jury give their big-match predictions

DAVID WATKINS

If we are to quickly get over the disaster that was Crawley Town then we have to win and play as we know we can against Brighton as we get back to the serious stuff of the Premier League.

Whether we will or not, I’m not sure. We have all seen how an embarrassing cup defeat against a lower-league club can get in the minds of the players – whether on or off the pitch at the time – and affect performances for weeks afterwards.

Brighton narrowly escaped similar shame as they squeaked past Newport on penalties. In the league, Brighton have become the draw specialists of the division having drawn eight of their 18 games including four of the last six; more than any other side with Leeds having only two draws all season. The downside, of course, is that they don’t win many and you have to go back to November 21 for their last Premier League victory, 2-1 at Villa. A gutsy display against Manchester City in midweek shows they’ll be a tough nut to crack.

I’m nervous that we won’t immediately shake off the FA Cup hangover and I’m saying yet another draw for the Seagulls.

Prediction: Leeds United 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 1.

MATTHEW EVANS

Leeds United have got some making up to do after last week’s FA Cup shambles at Crawley Town.

We run straight into another game – Brighton and Hove Albion – that we should have ambitions of winning if we are to cement our place in the Premier League.

Injury worries aside, this is a home game against a club we were competing alongside in the Championship fairly recently.

Other teams falling into that category include Sheffield United, Aston Villa, Fulham, West Brom and Newcastle who have shipped 17 goals between them against Leeds this season and represent 15 of our 23 points so far.

Brighton have injury concerns of their own it would seem and, if we attack the game in the way that we know we can, we should have enough to see them off.

Last weekend’s Crawley debacle has cast doubts for some, just as our trip to Old Trafford did in December, but this team are pretty good at bouncing back so let’s hope they do on Saturday.

Prediction: Leeds United 3 Brighton and Hove Albion 1.

ANDY RHODES

it’s back to the league for Leeds United and, therefore, back what really matters.

There’s no denying that a cup run would have been welcome, but the league has always been the club’s main focus.

The same can be said for tomorrow’s visitors Brighton.

Over the summer, the club refused to sell Ben White to Leeds or any other ‘relegation rival’.

Five months on and only one of the two clubs is in danger of the drop.

Brighton have struggled all season and haven’t won a league game since November.

Leeds are regaining form and adding points to eye-catching displays. Raphinha continues to shine on the wing while Liam Cooper returned against Crawley.

If Cooper plays it will be another change at the back for the Whites.

Despite the injuries and the alternating personnel, Marcelo Bielsa has managed his squad, showing fluidity and quality – his players have to adapt.

A win here would put further daylight between Leeds and the relegation zone. This is a bigger game than it looks.

Prediction: Leeds United 3 Brighton and Hove Albion 1.

KEITH INGHAM

After the ‘fallout’ from the embarrassing cup defeat at Crawley Town, Leeds now turn their attentions to making sure they accumulate enough points to guarantee their Premier League status with a home game against Brighton at Elland Road and, for once, a rare 3pm kick off.

Brighton have already stated that they will be without four first-team players, at least.

However, one of the key players of last season’s Championship team - Ben White - will be looking forward to returning to his former club.

I’m expecting Brighton to put up a stoic defensive performance and try to hit United on the break and at set-pieces.

Leeds, with Patrick Bamford hoping to add to the 10 goals he’s already scored this season will have other ideas, and Raphinha, Harrison and Rodrigo could be just the players to unlock them.

This is another key game; a good win will dispel the awful memories of last Sunday’s humiliation at Crawley Town and put a smile back on the faces of Leeds fans.

Anything less will raise a few eyebrows and questions as to whether Leeds should go into the January transfer market.

I see United getting the three points at the weekend. There’s confidence for you!

Prediction: Leeds United 3 Brighton and Hove Albion 1.

JACOB STARR

A victory against Brighton will help put the unacceptable Crawley defeat behind us, but we really should be winning nevertheless.

No disrespect to Brighton, but games like this warrant three points nine times out of 10 if you’re a good team.

We’ve proven we can be, but not week in, week out.

The Seagulls sit just outside the relegation zone having played two more than Fulham, so Graham Potter’s side will surely be satisfied to come away from Elland Road with anything.

The task is tougher for them as Tariq Lamptey and Danny Welbeck have been ruled out of the contest owing to injury.

I just hope the loss last weekend doesn’t derail our season like it has in the past, especially with the chunk of senior players who were involved.

Annoyingly, we’ll be without Kalvin Phillips as he serves a one game ban for accumulating too many yellow cards, so Pascal Struijk will move into midfield and Liam Cooper will return to the starting line-up, I’m assuming…

The Ben White derby. Let’s say the winner gets to keep him.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Brighton and Hove Albion 1.

MIKE GILL

After last Sunday’s pain and suffering against Crawley Town in the FA Cup, Leeds United need to return to their principal task among the Premier League elite.

That being taking points away from clubs that occupy lower places than them in the Premier League table.

One of the few positives from last week’s FA Cup encounter was the safe return of captain Liam Cooper.

His place in the team is even more important because of the suspension of Kalvin Phillips, and Pascal Struijk will once again step into the vital holding role.

The youngster knows that he has big boots to fill but his performance could well turn out to be a key factor in tomorrow’s outcome.

When the Brighton chairman Tony Bloom refused to let Leeds sign Ben White during the summer he predicted that his club and the Whites would probably be engaged in a relegation struggle.

What better motivation could there be for United to put more fresh air between them and the Seagulls.

Prediction: Leeds United 3 Brighton and Hove Albion 1.

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