Brighton and Hove Albion Fantasy Premier League Preview 2020/21

Graham Potter’s team went above expectations last season as most thought that they would be relegated and back in the championship for season 2020/21. I feel like many supporters of big teams have a soft spot for a team like Brighton. Last season Brighton did the double over Arsenal and beat Spurs 3-0. They play attractive football as well, they want to play forward and take risks. Potter has gone away from just launching the ball forward in hope to playing possession football, playing out from the back and taking plenty of risks. When they come up against big teams they do hold their own, but they did concede 9 goals to Manchester City over the two games. Maty Ryan has been a very popular choice over the last couple of seasons. He has become one of the top shot stoppers in the league. He scored 135 points last season pulling off 117 saves. He played every single minute in season 2019/20. Closely behind him was Neil Maupay with 131 then Leandro Trossard with 104. Dunk was Brighton’s top scoring defender with 128 points.

Brighton’s first 5 games are:

Chelsea (H)

Newcastle (A)

Manchester United (H)

Everton (A)

Crystal Palace (A)

Brighton start their campaign with facing two of the top 4 teams from last season inside their first three games but it doesn’t benefit them being at home though. If you are going to start with Maty Ryan in goal I would only expect maybe one clean sheet from the first five games but even then it’s pushing it. Brighton do provide a threat aerially at set pieces with the likes of Webster and Dunk even Duffy when he plays. 

Goalkeepers:

Mat Ryan (4.5): As mentioned before one of the best shot stoppers in the league, I could watch montages of his saves over and over again. He definitely keep Brighton in matches, maybe I’m biased being from Australia as he’s our national keeper but still he has improved so much since his days in the A League with Central Coast Mariners. Was the top scorer for Brighton last season and probably will be up there again. Currently sits in about 25% of teams either on bench or in the starting eleven. I would consider him as your starting keeper if not must be on your bench if you have a free 0.5

David Button (4.0): Will always be second fiddle to Ryan. Is a cheap option to just be on your bench if your looking to throw away the reserve goalkeeper position. Will be a good selection if Ryan gets injured but I and everyone else won’t want that to happen.

Defenders:

Lewis Dunk (5.0): This guy is such a threat at all set pieces, feel sorry for the defence if somehow he gets a little shaqiri on him and if that does happen you can about guarantee that the ball will be in the back of the net if he gets his head onto it. He finished on 128 points contributing 3 goals, 3 assists and 9 clean sheets. Currently selected by 11% of coaches.

Adam Webster (4.5): Another one of Brighton’s tall centre backs, this guy measures up to 1.9m tall and is as dangerous as Dunk at set pieces. Scored 88 points last season with 3 goals, 1 assist and 5 clean sheets. If he continues to partner Dunk then I would expect an increase in points this season and if he can score 100 points then he is definitely one to consider on your bench. Currently selected by 3.2% of coaches. Let him ride your bench for the early Gameweeks due to Brighton’s tough fixture.

Martin Montoya (4.5): Coming from the likes of Barcelona and Valencia lots were expected of Montoya when he came to the premier league, the premier league is the hardest league to transition to but last season I expected him to increase his output from the previous season. He did increase his output from 45-62 but we all expected more, hopefully this season he can break the 90 barrier. Still hasn’t scored a premier league goal but contributed one assist from right back last season. Still believe there are better defenders with better potential than Montoya valued at 4.5m. 

Midfielders:

Adam Lallana (6.5): Due to transfers coming into Liverpool over the last couple of season Lallana saw himself move down the pecking order in Jürgen Klopp’s midfield, still will neve forget that goal he scored against Norwich in like 96th minute at Carrow Road a number of seasons ago and the goal against United last season at Old Trafford. But enough reminiscing on Lallana time at Liverpool. I’m very happy he’s moved onto Brighton and should find himself a main-stayer in Brighton’s Midfield. Do I believe 6.5 is a good price for him probably he’s about 0.5/1.0 too much, if he was 5.5 he would be in my team, I believe 6.5 is just a little too much for him. He does have scoring potential with scores of over 100 a few seasons ago. Will definitely hit 100 this season if he can stay fit and healthy. One to definitely add to the watch list. 

Leandro Trossard (6.0): This lively Belgian winger had his first season in the premier league and I believed he showed great potential and will definitely improve this season. He scored 104 points and contributed 5 goals and 5 assists from 31 appearances. He is possibly too much to spend 6.0m on but definitely once to watch, will definitely be one of the first names on Potters team sheet.

Forwards:

Glenn Murray (5.0): A huge drop off from the two previous seasons where he cracked 100 points but Potter had Maupay and Andone ahead of Murray. He is a threat and a good striker but there are players ahead of him for minutes. Definitely consider someone else, but if one of the big guys in Maupay or Andone get injured then Murray is one to consider at 5.0. In the two previous seasons before last season he scored 13 and 12 goals. If he gets plenty of minutes this season I do see him getting on the scoresheet at least 5 times.

Neil Maupay (6.5): First premier league season and he was really good for Brighton, just behind Maty Ryan in points scoring 131. Won Brighton’s golden boot with 10 goals and provided 3 assists. Currently in 2.3% of teams and is one I’m considering being in my team. Will definitely produce the same scoring output as last season maybe improve by 10-20 points but at 6.5m that is where he should be. Second season in the premier league, will definitely be one that will have a lot on his shoulders to keep Brighton up this season.

With Brighton’s tough start to the season I would have Maty Ryan on the bench and then can potentially be your starting keeper in some favourable games for Brighton. Trossard and Maupay will be your goal scoring threats with Dunk and Webster possibly sitting on your bench or Dunk being in your starting eleven. Lallana is one to watch how he is performing for Brighton early on. If Brighton get any double gameweeks this season then Lallana, Maupay and Trossard are definitely needed to be considered. 

Prediction: 15-20th (hoping they do stay up)

NB: When writing this I had Aaron Mooy in my midfielders, but deleted him out since he has now transferred to Shanghai SIPG, very shocked at this move, hopefully hasn’t gone for money as he’s a very good midfielder and can pull lots of strings for Brighton, we wish him all the very best.