Formerly tipped as early European outsiders following their bright start to the campaign, Brighton have experienced a drop-off that many would have predicted, but the manner of their recent spate of losses has probably surprised even the most ardent of Seagulls supporters.
Before the international break allowed Graham Potter a much-needed opportunity to recharge the batteries, Brighton were comfortably swept aside 2-0 by Tottenham Hotspur in front of their own fans, as Cristian Romero and Harry Kane’s goals completed the job for the Lilywhites.
A sixth successive defeat sees Brighton looking over their shoulder rather than above the table heading into the business end of the season, with the Seagulls three points off a top-half place but still comfortably 11 clear of the relegation zone.
Another season in the Premier League is seemingly in the bag for Brighton, but concern may start to creep in if their streak of losses continues any longer, especially seeing as they have only managed one goal in the process while conceding at least two in every game.
Furthermore, the Seagulls have now gone four home games on the bounce without scoring and are still on the hunt for their first win at the Amex since the turn of the year, so the visit of a Norwich side enduring their own miserable period is certainly a welcome occasion.
While Norwich City have not had as much trouble finding the back of the net as Brighton have in recent memory, Dean Smith’s side are still ending up on the wrong end of scorelines and are seemingly consigned to a swift demotion back down to the Championship.
Prior to the international break, Norwich succumbed to a seventh defeat in a row across all tournaments as Leeds’ Joe Gelhardt came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner at Elland Road – mere moments after Kenny McLean appeared to have salvaged a point for the Canaries.
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Smith’s men have not been resigned to their fate just yet but are eight points adrift of safety having played two games more than 17th-placed Everton, and each passing defeat makes pulling off a great escape seem more improbable by the week.
As is the case with Brighton, Norwich also come into this game on a six-match losing run in the top flight – conceding almost three per game on average in that stretch – while they are the only team in the division yet to hit the 10-goal mark away from home this term.
Furthermore, the Canaries are yet to score against Brighton in the Premier League – losing 2-0 and 1-0 in 2019-20 before a goalless draw at Carrow Road back in October – and one would not put it past another drab stalemate occurring on Saturday either
