- Brighton need a win to guarantee European qualification
- Mats Wieffer returns while Kaoru Mitoma remains out
- Danny Welbeck could reach 400 Premier League appearances
The line-ups are out…
Brighton & Hove Albion head into the final day of the Premier League season knowing victory against Manchester United would guarantee European football for only the second time in the club’s history.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side host United at the Amex Stadium on Sunday afternoon with the atmosphere expected to be electric as Brighton chase another landmark achievement under the German head coach.
Final-day stakes set up season-defining clash
After last weekend’s frustrating 1-0 defeat to Leeds United, Brighton know the equation is simple. Win, and Europe returns to the south coast.
The Seagulls will take confidence from their impressive recent record in this fixture. Brighton have won eight of their 17 Premier League meetings with Manchester United. They also boast the highest home win percentage against the Red Devils of any side in Premier League history, winning five of eight encounters at the Amex.
Interestingly, none of the 17 Premier League meetings between the two clubs have ever ended in a draw.
Brighton boosted by Wieffer return
Hurzeler also received a major boost ahead of Sunday’s clash, confirming Mats Wieffer is back available for selection.
“No new injury concerns, so that’s positive,” Hurzeler said in his pre-match press conference.
“Mats Wieffer is an option to come back and all the other players are available.”
That leaves Kaoru Mitoma as Brighton’s only absentee heading into the decisive fixture.
The Brighton boss also called on supporters to help create one final huge atmosphere at the Amex.
He said: “I hope we all can give us a last push.
“We all can stick together one more time. We all can create an energetic and powerful atmosphere where it’s difficult to play and then hopefully we can celebrate together afterwards.”
Welbeck set for landmark Premier League appearance
Danny Welbeck could also reach a major milestone if selected. The striker is set to make his 400th Premier League appearance and would become only the 46th player to achieve the landmark.
The former Manchester United forward has delivered some huge moments this season and Brighton will hope he can produce one more against his old club.
United, meanwhile, are chasing a league double over Brighton for the first time since the 2020/21 campaign, although their recent record against the Seagulls remains poor, losing six of the last eight league meetings.
Brighton are also targeting a fourth consecutive home victory in the top flight for the first time in their history.
With Europe on the line, an almost fully-fit squad available and the Amex expected to be at its loudest, Sunday has all the ingredients for another huge afternoon in Brighton’s recent history.
Follow all the latest Brighton & Hove Albion news through Read Brighton.
