Will We Avoid Our 13th Away Defeat?

Written by billythekid

After a good start against Burnley last Saturday at Dean Court with a fourth-minute goal, even if it was an own goal from Barnes, it had the Dean Court crowd on their feet. But as the game went on Burnley equalised and the joy once again turned to anguish. From then on Burnley scored two more goals and AFCB fans drifted out earlier than normal knowing another defeat was on the cards, that proved to be the case as Martin Atkinson blew the final whistle.

Our next game is away again, but not too far for our team and fans to travel along the South Coast in an easterly direction to play Brighton (Seagulls/Albion) at the Amex Stadium in Falmer. Brighton last Saturday were playing Manchester City in the semi-final of the FA Cup at Wembley, City won by the only goal of the game. Even after losing to City, Brighton players will probably still be on a high after playing in front of their fans at Wembley and will be wanting to win in their next game against us back home. Just hope our players are up for this one after two lacklustre performances at Leicester and Dean Court last Saturday. After relegated Huddersfield and Fulham, the Cherries have the most defeats away from home (12). Also after the bottom three clubs, AFCB have the most losses (17), the most losses by our club in a PL season were 18 in our first season in it. Brighton are in 16th place, 3 places and 5 points behind the Cherries with two games in hand.

In the January transfer window, Brighton signed three players on undisclosed fees. Midfield player Alexis Mac Allister from Argentinos Juniors, Slovenian striker Jan Mlakar from NK Maribor and midfield player Tudor-Cristian Baluta FC Viitorul Constanta, all three players returned to their previous clubs until the end of the season.

Since AFCB beat Brighton 2-0 back in December, the Seagulls had two home games, first a 1-1 draw with Arsenal and then the last game of the month and year a 1-0 win over Everton. At the end of the year, Brighton were in 13th place in the table on 20 points, one point and place behind the Cherries.

Into the new year and Brighton had to travel up to London and the London Stadium to play West Ham, the game ended in a 2-2 draw. Their next two fixtures were tough ones against top 6 sides. First at home the leaders Liverpool were the visitors, Liverpool winning by the only goal of the game. Next was a visit to Old Trafford to play Manchester United, United won 2-1. The last game of January was away against Fulham, the London side won 4-2.

February and Brighton had two home games, drawing 0-0 with Watford and losing 1-3 against Burnley, score sound familiar? Next Brighton had to visit Leicester and lost 2-1.

March and Brighton started with two wins, 1-0 at home against Huddersfield and 1-2 away against rivals Crystal Palace. Last game of the month and Brighton lost at home 1-0 against Southampton.

April’s only game in the Premier League was away at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, the home side won 3-0.

This will be the second time the Cherries have played at the Falmer ground in the Premier League. The first visit in January 2018 ended in a 2-2 draw.
In league games played over the years at Brighton, the Cherries have Won 14, Drawn 12, Lost 25. In all competitions, the Cherries have Won 42, Drawn 29 and Lost 37.

Six Game Form Guide in the Premier League – Starting with the latest game first:

Brighton LLWWLL – AFCB LDWLLD

Home Form Table
Brighton – 13th P15 W6 D4 L5 GF17 GA16 Pts 22

Away Form Table
AFCB – 16th P16 W4 D0 L12 GF15 GA37 Pts 12

Brighton Team News
Solly March has been out with a calf injury. Pascal Gross with a hamstring injury. Solly March battling to be fit for Saturday.

Brighton Player To Watch
Anthony Knockaert had a good game in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City and was geeing up the Brighton supporters, has 6 assists, plus 2 goals this season. Our old player Glenn Murray is their leading scorer and will want to get on the scoresheet against us. Shane Duffy has done well for them in defence and scored 5 goals.

AFCB Team News
Charlie Daniels joins Simon Francis and Lewis Cook on the long term injury list with a knee injury on which he has had an operation. Andrew Surman, Steve Cook also looks to be missing still. Latest to join the injury list is Diego Rico with an ankle ligament injury which probably finishes his season.

AFCB Player To Watch
This is a difficult one with a number of our players not performing at their best lately. Probably with the rumours surrounding him at the moment with links to different clubs, Ryan Fraser, this will either distract him or make him carry on proving himself and he can unlock defences.

Your say…

Topfarrier wrote…

Big game for Brighton…..don’t like the look of their run in! ……what a shame it would be if they got relegated with all that infrastructure.
Big game for us too of course although for different reasons….sigh…wouldn’t it be great to give them a gentle push toward the trap door…..just a little nudge….or preferably a bloody great big kick up the **** towards it…. – Join the conversation, click here.