Brighton and Hove Albion have been the surprise package in the early stages of the Premier League season, earning positive results and plaudits for their performances. Manager Graham Potter was linked with the Tottenham Hotspur job that ultimately went to Nuno Espirito Santo. Potter has proven a point that perhaps he was ready to take the step to the next level, although he may achieve the feat with the Seagulls anyway given their fast start to the term.
The South Coast outfit are backed in the football betting odds at +450 to finish in the top six this term, highlighting the progress the Seagulls have made under Potter. It will be worth monitoring the football betting tips from Paddy Power to track their results over the course of the season to see whether a top-six wager is a wise move, especially considering the talent in the Premier League. Arsenal and Tottenham have endured slow starts, but could recover and string results together with ease, while Leicester City, West Ham, Aston Villa and Everton will also be in contention.
The difference between those clubs and Brighton is evident in the final third. The Seagulls’ approach play has been sensational this term. In their 0-0 draw against Arsenal, they cut open the Gunners time and again at the Amex Stadium. Leandro Trossard, Neal Maupay, Marc Cucurella, Pascal Gross and Adam Lallana were on point with the ball, with Cucurella and Gross delivering outstanding deliveries into the box from set-pieces. However, Brighton failed to hit the back of the net, despite creating excellent opportunities. Dan Burn, Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy, Maupay and Trossard were all guilty of missing their openings in front of goal.
The Seagulls defeated Leicester, Brentford and Burnley by a single goal along with a 2-0 triumph over Watford. On those occasions they were good enough in front of goal, but there is pressure on them to be perfect in the final third. Maupay is a fine player and has enjoyed an excellent start to the term, but he is not prolific enough to fire Potter’s men into the top six. Their potential competitors in the top six have their hitmen in the form of Romelu Lukaku, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the City being the lone outlier.
Although it is an admirable trait to copy the style of Pep Guardiola to free the team of the need for a central striker, it has been proven over the course of history that all teams need firepower to achieve their ultimate goal. Even if Maupay does have a great season, and he is more than capable of scoring 15 goals, the question will come of support around the Frenchman, especially with Danny Welbeck’s injury history.
Brighton need to be honest with themselves in their bid to make a decisive impact at the top end of the Premier League. If they are serious about challenging for the top six, they need to acquire a hitman in the final third. That asset along with the style of Potter could be a perfect combination.
