Brighton & Hove Albion head into Saturday's Premier League encounter with Norwich City having opened up a four-point advantage between themselves and the relegation zone.
However, the Canaries make the trip to the Amex Stadium on the back of four defeats from their last five outings in the top flight, form which has left the club in 19th position in the standings.
Match preview
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While Graham Potter will remain disappointed that his side failed to build on their promising start to the campaign, the Seagulls boss will be delighted with their last three performances in the Premier League.
Despite the late setback against Aston Villa, home triumphs have been recorded over Tottenham Hotspur and Everton either side of that defeat, helping the club out of any immediate trouble at the wrong end of the table.
There was arguably a touch of fortune about their dramatic 3-2 success over the Toffees last weekend, although Potter will prefer to talk up the character of his players after they lost out in similar circumstances seven days earlier.
The challenge for Brighton now is to avoid any complacency after seeing off two quality sides in front of their own supporters, but there will be a determination within the camp to gain another three points with trips to Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal all to come by December 5.
As for Norwich, they have to find a solution at both ends of the pitch after losing all of the momentum generated from their memorable win over Manchester City in September.
While the 12 goals conceded in their last five matches will be of huge concern to Daniel Farke, he cannot ignore that the only two strikes which his side have scored during that run have come with games against Aston Villa and Man United already over as a contest.
Injuries have played their part in their shortcomings since the middle of September, although the adulation experienced in the hours and days after seeing off the defending champions may simply have come too early in the season.
Nevertheless, Farke has a responsibility to get his team back on track, and the German will be hopeful of a response from his players given that the stakes are relatively high heading into a match with a club who could emerge as relegation rivals later in the campaign.
Brighton & Hove Albion form: DLLWLW
Norwich City form: WLLLDL
Team News
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While Aaron Mooy is back in contention after a one-game ban, Potter may decide to keep the same starting lineup.
Should the Huddersfield Town loanee come back into the fold, it could be at the expense of Steven Alzate.
Adam Webster is expected to get the nod ahead of Shane Duffy in the centre of defence.
Despite carrying a knock, Ibrahim Amadou may remain at centre-back as a result of Farke's lack of options in that area of the pitch.
Onel Hernandez could be provided with a starting role, leaving Todd Cantwell to take a spot among the replacements.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup: Ryan; Montoya, Webster, Dunk, Burn; Propper, Alzate, Stephens, Gross; Maupay, Connolly
Norwich City possible starting lineup: Krul; Aarons, Godfrey, Amadou, Lewis; Buendia, McLean, Tettey, Stiepermann, Hernandez; Pukki
We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Norwich City
While Norwich will view this fixture as a good opportunity to end their poor form, Brighton will feel that they have the ideal chance to make headway up the table. We feel that home advantage will ultimately play its part, with the Seagulls potentially edging this contest by the odd goal in three.
Darren Plant
