How Brighton & Hove Albion could line up for their first game back

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 05 June 2020

Sports Mole looks at how Brighton & Hove Albion could line up for their first match back after lockdown, when they are expected to go up against Arsenal.

Brighton & Hove Albion are pencilled in to return to Premier League action with a home fixture against Arsenal on June 20.

Despite having failed to win a top-flight fixture since December 28, Graham Potter's team have managed to keep themselves outside of the relegation zone.

That is largely down to four draws coming from their last five outings, the most recent being a goalless draw away at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Here, Sports Mole predicts how Brighton may line up for their encounter with the Gunners at the Amex Stadium, scheduled just three days after Arsenal's showdown with Manchester City.

Doubtful: Steven Alzate (groin), Aaron Connolly (ankle)

> Click here for Brighton's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Although Potter is unlikely to make any changes to the team which performed so efficiently at Molineux, he should have two more players at his disposal.

Despite missing out on having a groin operation during the enforced break, Steven Alzate is expected to feature in the 20-man squad.

The same applies to Aaron Connolly, who underwent ankle surgery in March and is now pushing towards gaining a place against Arsenal.

Should Potter opt for an alteration or two, he may be prepared to introduce Alexis Mac Allister or Alireza Jahanbakhsh into the team in place of Solly March.

While Pascal Gross will also feel that he should be handed a recall, it is difficult to see the playmaker being preferred to a more defensive-minded option in the centre of the pitch.