With Brighton’s first Premier League game just over two weeks away, what sort of line up and formation could we see The Seagulls field? Below we will talk about the three possible formations that Chris Hughton could adopt for the first game.
4-4-2:
This is a formation that Chris Hughton adopted for most of the Championship season last year. I think this may well be an option this season as Hughton seems to like the big man-little man combo up front. If they did adopt this tactic, it could be as follows:
Club record signing Matt Ryan would be in goal. The back four would be Bruno Saltor, Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk and new signing Markus Suttner at left-back. The four in midfield would be Anthony Knockaert if fit or Solly March if the Frenchman is not, Pascal Groß or Steve Sidwell, Dale Stephens or Beram Kayal in central midfield and Chelsea loanee Izzy Brown or Jamie Murphy on the left side midfield. Then up front would be Glenn Murray and Sam Baldock if fit and if not Tomer Hemed could take either of those places.
4-4-1-1:
This is a tactic that Chris Hughton has used in every pre-season friendly so far this season. I think this is mainly due to the arrival of Groß, who can play in the number ten role just behind the striker. The formation, if used, could be as follows.
Ryan would be in between the sticks. The back four would be Bruno, Duffy, Dunk and Suttner at Left-back. The midfield four would be slightly different with either Knockaert or March on the right wing depending on how fit Knockaert is, Stephens and Beram Kayal or Steve Sidwell could line up in midfield and Brown or Murphy on the left-hand side. Then Groß would play in the hole behind the striker. The Striker would then be either Glenn Murray or Tomer Hemed up top as I think with this formation it would require a big man with strength and who is good in the air to hold up the ball and knock it off.
4-3-3:
This is an alternative formation that I reckon could work well with The Albion’s squad and the depth in each position. If adopted, could be as follows: The Goalkeeper would be Matt Ryan. The back four would be Bruno, Duffy, Dunk and Suttner. The three in the midfield would be between Groß, Sidwell, Kayal or Stephens. Up front would consist of either Knockaert or March on the right wing, Murray or Hemed or Baldock if fit up front and either Brown or Murphy on the left wing.
Either of the three formations would work well but, if I was to be pushed to pick the one I think Brighton are most likely to use, I would have to say the 4-4-1-1 formation as because of the signing of Groß who is a number ten and Irish Midfielder Ritchie Towell, who can also play there The Albion have a rotation option to bring on if needed. Also, the fact that Groß and Murray seem to have gelled quite well so far in the pre-season could be another deciding factor.
