Tuesday evening witnessed one of only two all-EPL replays in the third round of the FA Cup at Molineux, as Wolverhampton Wanderers reignited their rivalry with Brentford.
Gary O’Neil’s squad managed to clinch a decisive 3-2 win. However, before shifting their focus to the fourth round of the cup competition, the West Midlands unit must visit a well-rested Brighton squad at the AMEX Stadium this coming Monday.
Brighton is currently ninth in the Premier League standings with 31 points after 20 matches played. Wolves occupy the eleventh position with 28 points, as a win for the visitors would see them surpass their MNF opponents in the division.
Brighton vs. Wolves: Form Guide
Following a memorable conclusion to 2023, wherein they triumphed 4-2 at home against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, Brighton’s most recent EPL encounter against West Ham United ended in a scoreless stalemate, resulting in a mere point.
On the twentieth attempt, despite being denied multiple times by a defiant Alphonse Areola in goal, the Seagulls maintained their first clean sheet of the league this season.
Two of their last four EPL matches have been scoreless, with Roberto De Zerbi’s squad having failed to strike in just one of their previous 44 contests before this. However, the point they earned at the London Stadium has facilitated their ascent to the eighth position in the Premier League standings, with West Ham in sixth place, with three points separating the sides.
Brighton: Previous 6 Matches
| 06.01.2024 | Stoke City | 2-4 | Brighton | FA Cup |
| 02.01.2024 | West Ham | 0-0 | Brighton | EPL |
| 28.12.2023 | Brighton | 4-2 | Tottenham | EPL |
| 21.12.2023 | Crystal Palace | 1-1 | Brighton | EPL |
| 17.12.2023 | Arsenal | 2-0 | Brighton | EPL |
| 14.12.2023 | Brighton | 1-0 | Marseille | Europa |
Most English clubs up and down the country have enjoyed a well-deserved winter break following the brutal Christmas/New Year schedule. Unfortunately for Wolves, a third-round FA Cup tie with Brentford resulted in a draw, thus forcing a second-round replay and a shortened holiday.
Tired legs, however, aren’t the focus of Gary O’Neil. His Wolverhampton squad and the fans are thrilled to reach the FA Cup fourth round, especially because they’ve been drawn against West Brom, which will see The Black Country derby play out for the first time in three years. But despite this, all eyes are on the Premier League and Brighton, a team that Wanderers have failed to defeat in their previous four meetings.
Due to their FA Cup duties against Brighton, Wolves have not competed in domestic action since December 30. Interestingly, before that game, it wasn’t since defeating Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in 2018 that Wolves managed success in their final performance of the year. However, O’Neil’s current squad seized the opportunity to break that streak at Molineux by destroying Everton 3-0. With this victory, Wolves are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League matches.
Road trips haven’t delivered the same positivity. Still, with four wins from their previous five games in all competitions and the best streak of form they’ve had all season, Wolves, despite a lack of rest, will be gunning to avenge the 6-0 defeat they suffered at the AMEX in this fixture last term.
Wolves: Previous 6 Matches
| 16.01.2024 | Wolves | 3-2 | Brentford | FA Cup |
| 05.01.2024 | Brentford | 1-1 | Wolves | FA Cup |
| 30.12.2023 | Wolves | 3-0 | Everton | EPL |
| 27.12.2023 | Brentford | 1-4 | Wolves | EPL |
| 24.12.2023 | Wolves | 2-1 | Chelsea | EPL |
| 17.12.2023 | West Ham | 1-1 | Wolves | EPL |
Brighton vs. Wolves: Key Trends
- Brighton have scored at least one goal in 25 consecutive home games
- Both teams have scored in 16 of Brighton’s previous 18 home games
- Wolves have scored in 20 of their last 21 games in all competitions
- Over 2.5 goals have landed in seven straight Wolves away games
- In 8 of Wolves’ last 9 away games, both teams have scored
Brighton vs. Wolves: Head-to-Head
| 19.08.2023 | Wolves | 1-4 | Brighton | EFL |
| 29.04.2023 | Brighton | 6-0 | Wolves | EPL |
| 05.11.2022 | Wolves | 2-3 | Brighton | EPL |
| 30.04.2022 | Wolves | 0-3 | Brighton | EPL |
| 15.12.2021 | Brighton | 0-1 | Wolves | EPL |
| 09.05.2021 | Wolves | 2-1 | Brighton | EPL |
Brighton vs. Wolves: The Betting Odds
Brighton 4/6
Wolves 9/12
Draw 23/10
Unsurprisingly, the bookmaker’s odds have positioned Brighton as the betting favourite, mainly due to their excellent record at the Amex Stadium this season.
That said, the most reliable options on the sports betting market point to goals. Neither side has struggled to find the net this term, and we shouldn’t expect this trend to change on Monday.
Brighton vs. Wolves: Prediction
The Seagulls, on home turf in Premier League action, are undefeated in eight consecutive games, and they’ve triumphed against Wolves in four straight meetings. Although Monday’s visitors are in fine form, they’re unrested and faced with a stubborn Brighton squad that hasn’t lost a game at home since September.
The most probable winner of this fixture is Brighton, although a draw is where the value lies. It’s undeniable that backing goals as a potential wager is the most suited. Brighton has found the net in 16 of their previous 18 home meetings, while Wolves have scored in 20 of 21 and have a mere three clean sheets this season.
Brighton vs. Wolves Best Bet: Both Teams to Score @ 5/7
Brighton vs. Wolves Best Betting Value: Draw @ 23/10
Brighton vs. Wolves Score Prediction: 2-2
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