Brighton & Hove Albion (A) - Wed 24th May, 20:00 | Pre-Match Thread

[chesterbells]

Brighton have it all to play for to get a place in the Europa League.
It will be hugely difficult for Pep to inspire the team to perform in what is a dead rubber for us, with the team subconsciously thinking about the cup final, and having just got past celebrating the title. Hope I’m wrong but I can see this match marking the end of our winning streak, particularly as I’m going and want to see us perform well. I think he’ll start almost full strength (without Walker and Akanji) and make quite a few early second half subs to bring on a few of today’s team.

You think there’s a chance they could lose out on 6th place?

 

[bluemurray]

Play a strong team, keep them all sharp and hungry...

 

[Mancini’s Pastilles]

A wonderful dilemma to have. What do we do? Do we go strong ? From looks of it some players will be hungover tomorrow. Do we use reserves who knows. Who really cares

 

[west didsblue]

You think there’s a chance they could lose out on 6th place?

Looking at the table I didn’t realise they have that huge goal difference advantage over Villa but they will still be motivated to finishing it off as soon as possible.

 

[chesterbells]

Looking at the table I didn’t realise they have that huge goal difference advantage over Villa but they will still be motivated to finishing it off as soon as possible.

Agreed, but maybe not quite as motivated.

 

[Deleted member 81382]

I've just realized we'll be 10 points ahead of Arsenal if we win this.

Only a week ago we were worried about dropping points at Everton in case we handed them the initiative.

How quickly things change.

 

[Tevez City]

________________Ederson_______________

Rico________Dias________Stones______Gomez/Ake

________________Rodri__________________

_________KDB___________Gundogan________

Bernardo_______Haaland__________Grealish/Borges

 

[buckshot]

Half a match for lots of the big names, work on staying sharp and be careful not to get hurt. I'd expect they sit pretty much everybody against Brentford so this would be the last tune up before things get real.

 

[chesterbells]

Half a match for lots of the big names, work on staying sharp and be careful not to get hurt. I'd expect they sit pretty much everybody against Brentford so this would be the last tune up before things get real.

Things have already got Real mate.
(Sorry, couldn’t resist:-)

 

[ShorehamCitizen]

Only Europa Conference is wrapped up, they still need a point for Europa League which is a big incentive for them.

Big GD for Villa to make grounds up on though.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

I think we lose or draw this one, in all honesty. If we win, it will be the most astonishing tribute to Pep's ability to demand everything of his players and get it.
Actually, to be completely honest, I'm not even sure that Pep himself will be ramping this one up particularly. He'll want us to play properly for the Brentford game, because it's the last real workout before the Cup, with a full week in between, and a way of maintaining sharpness.

 

[14aguero]

Hopefully, the same rotated XI for this and the strongest XI until the end.

 

[Cobwebcat]

Tricky

At least Brightons finishing position is pretty much fixed

 

[Scottish Cityzen]

How was Kalvin Phillips today. Missed the game?

He was pretty decent, little pockets of him passing and moving into space, relatively tidy. He doesn’t have the natural flow of a Rico even for receiving the ball in very tight areas. He got caught out a few times in the defensive cover but pleased he got and took the opportunity. Didn’t let anyone down. Very unlucky with a header off the post.

Post match interview and he comes across as a really decent spud.

 

[stan bowles]

Probably the last thing we need is a long trip to Brighton against a high energy team like Brighton. Similar team to Chelsea except Akanji and Walker on the bench to swap with Dias and Stones maybe ? Can see Haaland and De Bruyne on the bench again. Give Phillips another start. Hope Ake gets some minutes.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Probably the last thing we need is a long trip to Brighton against a high energy team like Brighton. Similar team to Chelsea except Akanji and Walker on the bench to swap with Dias and Stones maybe ? Can see Haaland and De Bruyne on the bench again. Give Phillips another start. Hope Ake gets some minutes.

Ake is the one player I wouldn’t risk just yet given the nature of his injury and it hitting him in his first match back. Maybe 30 mins v Brentford for Nathan?

 

[stan bowles]

How was Kalvin Phillips today. Missed the game?

Had some good moments. Gave the ball away in the first half a couple of times but played a great pass to Foden to set up a chance which Phil narrowly missed and then had a header hit the post in the second half. Seemed to read the game a little better getting his foot in to break up Chelsea attacks a couple of times. Hasn't yet mastered the art of taking the ball on the half turn and protecting it to start attacks. One thing I do notice about him is that he is always static when he receives the ball meaning there is no impetus (didn't need to be yesterday) to what he does next.
Needs a lot more game time to develop in the City system so hopefully he starts against Brighton or Brentford.

 

[stan bowles]

Ake is the one player I wouldn’t risk just yet given the nature of his injury and it hitting him in his first match back. Maybe 30 mins v Brentford for Nathan?

Thought he might come on for the last 20 v Brighton just to see how he is.

 

[Gabriel]

Brighton have it all to play for to get a place in the Europa League.
It will be hugely difficult for Pep to inspire the team to perform in what is a dead rubber for us, with the team subconsciously thinking about the cup final, and having just got past celebrating the title. Hope I’m wrong but I can see this match marking the end of our winning streak, particularly as I’m going and want to see us perform well. I think he’ll start almost full strength (without Walker and Akanji) and make quite a few early second half subs to bring on a few of today’s team.

Given how fleet of foot Mitoma is, I would have thought Walker is a likely starter.

 

[Turner92]

Ortega Lewis Dias Laporte Akanji Phillips Gundogan Alvarez Foden Mahrez Haaland