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Premier League | Gameweek 22
Jan 12, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
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'I wouldn't put money on it': Hughton thinks title race is too close to call

Albion have lost all three of their Premier League games against Liverpool.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton says Liverpool are favourites to lift the Premier League title but "wouldn't put money on it".

Jurgen Klopp's table-topping side travel to the Amex Stadium on Saturday with a four-point cushion on champions Manchester City.

However, the Reds were beaten 2-1 by second-placed City in their previous league fixture, before crashing out of the FA Cup at Wolves on Monday.

Asked if the Merseyside club can end their 19-year wait for a top-flight title, Hughton replied: "I don't know.

"At this moment, I think they are favourites simply because of the points difference, and I think they've been outstanding.

"But you certainly can't write off a Manchester City team that have been the best team over the last few seasons and arguably played the best football.

"I think Liverpool are favourites but I couldn't tell you who will win it.

"And certainly, I wouldn't put money on it."

Mid-table Albion were thrashed 4-0 and 5-1 by free-scoring Liverpool last season but were unfortunate in a 1-0 defeat at Anfield back in August.

Hughton, who has seen his team go four games unbeaten in all competitions, has urged his players to replicate that display as they attempt to secure a shock result.

"It was a performance that didn't get us a result but we were very close to it," Hughton said of the narrow loss.

"We will definitely have to be somewhere close to that to even think about getting something on Saturday.

"You have to have a defensive strategy, I don't think there's any team that plays against them that can afford to go into a game without that, even Manchester City, which was a great game.

"You also have to have a strategy to get out and keep hold of the ball. We are going to have to have periods of the ball – the longer and more often they have the ball what they have shown is that they will break you down with the quality they have.

"Certainly a defensive strategy is needed but we have to make sure we give them a game."

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Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring against Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 21, 2018
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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