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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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3Liverpool34228475344174
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton331111115254-244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
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19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


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