Brighton & Hove Albion will travel to Stoke City in the third round of the FA Cup. The Potters lost to the Seagulls 1-0 at home in the fifth round of the previous season.
Preview (Stoke City vs. Brighton & Hove Albion)
Despite playing with 10 men against promotion-hopeful Ipswich Town on New Year’s Day, Steven Schumacher’s Stoke team has won one and drawn three of their past four games, capping off an undefeated start under his management. Midway through the second half, Schumacher deemed Jordan Thompson’s red card “unnecessary”. The Potters held their own against the Tractor Boys to earn a crucial point.
Stoke is still seven points above the bottom three in the Championship table and currently sits in 19th place. However, before the Potters get ready for two league games against struggling teams, Rotherham United and Birmingham City, they have to focus on the FA Cup, where they hope to advance past the third round for the third straight year. With only two wins in their previous 11 games at the bet365 Stadium and seven draws in front of goal, Schumacher will be anxious to improve his team’s home performance. Stoke has not only lost but also failed in their last eight FA Cup matches against Premier League opponents.
After winning the Premier League at home against Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 to cap off 2023, Brighton was forced to settle for a point on Tuesday in a goalless draw with West Ham United. At the twentieth attempt, the Seagulls preserved their first league clean sheet of the season. They drew blanks in just one of their previous 44 games. Roberto De Zerbi’s team has already lost two of their last four games. Nevertheless, they moved up to seventh in the Premier League standings thanks to a point gained.
Team News
Josh Laurent (ankle) and Enda Stevens (leg) are out for Stoke due to suspension. Lynden Gooch (calf) and Tyrese Campbell (knock) are questionable and will be evaluated. After playing on loan for Solihull Moors, teenage goalkeeper Tommy Simkin is cup-tied. Given the lack of depth at full-back for the Potters, Gooch will probably start at left-back. Ki-Jana Hoever might go to the right side of a back four. Daniel Johnson might fill in for Thompson in midfield.
Regarding Brighton, despite recovering from an ankle injury, Kaoru Mitoma has been called up to the Japan team for the Asian Cup, while Igor Julio (knock), Solly March, Julio Enciso, Joel Veltman (all knee), Ansu Fati, Simon Adingra, and Tariq Lamptey (all thigh), are still in the treatment room. But Lewis Dunk, the captain, is eligible to play again after serving a suspension. He might start at center back with Jan Paul van Hecke or Adam Webster, while Jack Hinshelwood and Pervis Estupinan will probably remain at full-back. Along with players like Jakub Moder, Carlos Baleba, Mahmoud Dahoud, and Adam Lallana, Evan Ferguson, who scored the game’s lone goal in the victory against Stoke last year, will be looking to push his way into the starting lineup.
Stoke City 0-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
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