Brighton Albion successfully maintained their neck breaking pressure on Newcastle United when they came with a late goal against Birmingham City last weekend to seal a win. That was the 14th win for Chris Hughton’s men in the Championship this season, and the Seagulls are now unbeaten in their last 16 league matches.
They host QPR day after tomorrow and Brighton’s home record indicates that they are going to win it easy. They have collected 26 points from 11 home games so far, which is the best in the Championship table and it is now very much looking like the season when Brighton gets the highly-anticipated promotion to English top flight football.
QPR, on the other hand, have been quite frail in their display and it is safe to say that their only target this season remains to stay out of relegation zone. Adding to their worries would be the return of a number of players to the Brighton team who will be in contention for starting.
Defence
Hughton will have defender Liam Rosenior back in training after his absence following ankle injury. We don’t expect him to start the game. Centre-back Uwe Hunemeier is, however, a doubt with a hand injury and might not be available for selection.
The rotation is inevitable in the coming 12 days, but we expect the first of the four matches to have a more or less unchanged squad.
Gaetan Bong and Bruno are expected to start on the defensive flanks with Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk taking the central defensive role. Brighton have kept the most number of clean sheets in the Championship this season (13), and the backline is expected to keep it that way against QPR.
David Stockdale should continue to take his position under the bar.
