Brighton & Hove Albion will host Ajax as both teams are winless in the Europa League so far. The Seagulls haven’t won a game in almost four weeks. Their Dutch opponents last experienced success at the end of August, which is very remarkable.
Preview (Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Ajax)
Brighton’s form has declined since they defeated Manchester United and Newcastle United in back-to-back Premier League games in September. In the seven games since then, they have only won one and given up 17 goals. Ansu Fati’s goal in the second half proved insignificant. Goals from Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland secured maximum points for the hosts.
De Zerbi has had to rotate his squad frequently as Brighton has struggled to adjust to the demands of balancing domestic and European commitments. Despite this, there are no signs that Brighton’s hectic schedule will slow down anytime soon. They have five games in November, including a two-week international break, after games against Ajax and Fulham. Brighton, who are playing in their first Europa League campaign, are currently at the bottom of Group B. They are one point behind Ajax and Marseille, who play on Thursday, in third and second place. Surprise package AEK Athens has four points at the top.
The Seagulls could use a win over Ajax, the four-time European champions, to increase their chances of finishing in the top two in Group B. Although De Zerbi’s team has scored goals in each of their last 13 home games across all competitions, their defensive shortcomings could prove costly as they haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their 12 games this season, home or away. While Seagulls fans may be a little concerned about Brighton’s recent slump, they are by no means as depressed as Ajax supporters, who have had an absolutely awful start to the new season in every way.
Team News
Danny Welbeck was substituted off the field in the first sixteen minutes of Brighton’s match against Manchester City due to a muscle ailment, and Solly March was stretchered off the field in tears after jarring his knee in the last minutes of play. Welbeck is now regarded as a major doubt. De Zerbi has already stated that March will miss Thursday’s match and may be out “for a long time.” Jakub Moder has returned to training after an 18-month layoff due to a problematic knee injury. Thursday’s game will probably come too soon for him. Tariq Lamptey (knock), Pervis Estupinan (muscle), and Julio Enciso (knee) are all out.
But after serving a domestic suspension last weekend, Silviano Vos is back in the lineup. The 18-year-old will compete for a starting position in midfield against Kenneth Taylor, Benjamin Tahirovic, and Cristian Hlynsson, who scored twice in the team’s loss to Utrecht. Steven Bergwijn, Brian Brobbey, and Carlos Forbs may be able to hold onto their starting positions up front, but former Brighton striker Chubby Akpom, who played for the Seagulls on loan for six months in 2017, and Georgian forward Georges Mikautadze will be looking to push their way into the starting lineup.
Given that Brighton and Ajax have consistently demonstrated a danger in the final third while failing to solidify their defenses thus far this season, it is tough to imagine a match that ends in a draw. Ajax will be hoping that a change in the dugout may bring about an immediate improvement in their situation, but we think Brighton has a chance to win this exciting match in front of their home supporters and make history.
Brighton & Hove Albion 3 – 2 Ajax
For more football previews, click here
